A young man who flew from Norway to Britain to perform a contract killing for a criminal network received a 20-year detention term.

Johannes Natland, aged 19, was taken into custody inside a Huddersfield hotel room in West Yorkshire during March 2025 while carrying two functional firearms and 19 live rounds, as previously detailed at the Old Bailey.

In the retrial, jurors learned that the teenager had been enlisted by the Foxtrot Network, portrayed as a Swedish criminal organisation supported by Iranian authorities.

Natland, who confessed to holding the weapons and ammunition, was convicted by unanimous verdict of conspiracy to murder and received his sentence at Woolwich Crown Court on Friday.

The Foxtrot Network faces sanctions from both Britain and the United States owing to its ties with the Iranian government, though the precise target of Natland remains unknown.

Commander Helen Flanagan, who leads Counter Terrorism Policing London, stated that investigators could not determine the intended victim.

The network is recognised for advancing the practice of engaging adolescent assassins, a tactic Europol has labelled violence-as-a-service.

During sentencing, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb addressed Natland directly, noting that the group employs distant recruitment methods to involve young individuals in violent acts.

She added that he had been enlisted to travel to England and eliminate an unknown person.

Natland had been promised 270,000 Norwegian Kroner, roughly 21,000 pounds, for completing the assignment.

He arrived at Manchester Airport using an emergency passport on 17 March 2025, just after turning 18.

Guided by Signal app videos, he reached Huddersfield where the firearms, a stolen vehicle and cash had been concealed.

Norwegian officers arrested the recruiter and discovered messages concerning the British operation, prompting a swift search to locate Natland before any attack occurred.

The judge emphasised that Natland had consented to assassinate a stranger in another country for payment, despite being only 18 at the time.

She continued that although no one was injured, she remained convinced he would have carried out the killing without police intervention.

Officers found Natland at the Briar Court Hotel with handguns concealed beneath his bed. Upon seeing them he mimed firing at an officer before being restrained.

Flanagan noted the urgency to act quickly once his presence and intent became clear, intervening just before the planned murder.

Natland grew up in Stavanger, an oil city in south-western Norway. Although a talented footballer, he began using substances at age 13 and later left school.

He described daily drug use by the previous year, which led to paranoia about his parents and admission to a psychiatric facility with drug-induced psychosis.

His barrister, Paul Hynes KC, explained that the mental health issues stemmed from or worsened by substance use, impairing sound judgment.

Natland mentioned a brief stay in a facility for troubled youths where he encountered a recruiter known as UnknownHustler.

The judge observed that he pursued the role despite chances to withdraw.

Within two days of recruitment he flew from Stavanger to Manchester on the emergency passport after his regular one expired.

Border Force stopped him and instructed him to return home, yet he took a taxi to the Huddersfield hotel and later another to a wooded spot.

There he collected 2,000 pounds in cash, two guns and ammunition, then located a stolen Nissan with false plates intended for the crime.

The judge noted he returned to the hotel with the weapons and 19 bullets, received directions to the vehicle, purchased gloves and recorded images and videos of the items including cash spread on the bed.

From the room he boasted to his girlfriend about having the bangs in the bag and took selfies.

At trial a footballer friend recalled Natland mentioning the Swedish Foxes and claiming he would earn substantial money while someone died.

He also told his girlfriend he was on a crazy mission and could kill for payment, making life wonderful.

In evidence Natland said he sought to appear impressive but it was mere bravado and he felt terrified inside, insisting he was no international assassin.

He admitted possessing the items but claimed he planned to shoot his own foot to escape the situation.

Flanagan confirmed the network is sanctioned for orchestrating violence against Jewish and Israeli targets in Europe on behalf of Iran, though no direct Iran link appeared in this case.

She stressed that counter-terrorism efforts will continue to block hostile state actions in Britain.

Natland must serve at least two thirds of the 20-year term in custody.

His Norwegian lawyers stated they would seek a transfer to Norway for him to serve the sentence.

They described the term as severe for someone aged 18 at arrest and noted lighter outcomes for related young offenders in Norway.

They plan to review the sentence with him, his family and British counsel.

Counter Terrorism Policing continues to investigate others suspected of supplying the firearms and stolen car.

In September 2025 a 27-year-old man was arrested over conspiracy to murder and released under investigation.

Two further men aged 30 and 27 were detained in Bradford on 20 May for handling stolen goods involving a vehicle and later bailed.