ETHAN Stables has declared he is bisexual in a shock twist during his trial where he is accused of planning to commit acts of terrorism against gay people.

In day two of the second week of his trial at Leeds Crown Court the 20-year-old from Egerton Court in Barrow has been giving evidence and cross-examined.

Stables denies planning to commit acts of terrorism against LGBT people at a gay pride event at the New Empire pub in Barrow on June 23 of last year.

In a round-up of today's proceedings:

  • Ethan Stables told friends: “The best way for a woman to survive is to find a strong man to protect her and the best way for a man to survive is to find a fertile woman... Love isn’t essential for survival.”
  • Ethan Stables says his threats and “disgusting” comments online were an attempt to fit in and impress his far right friends.
  • Ethan Stables says he was scared to reveal he was bisexual and has had sexual experiences with men because his grandparents “would be disgusted”. He says he is “utterly ashamed” of what he has done.
  • Ethan Stables says: “I am disgusted and ashamed at myself for what I said. I just wish I could turn the clock back. I’m sorry.”
  • Ethan Stables only revealed his bisexuality AFTER his trial started.
  • During cross examination prosecution barrister Jonathan Sandiford says: “You could have blocked these right wing people. Are you saying it was easier to pretend to be a Nazi and homophobic than blocking them?” Stables replies: “Yes.”
  • In 2014 Ethan Stables saw a child psychologist. Stables told the doctor if his then relationship with a girl in Denmark didn’t work he “would come back to Britain and go on a rampage killing everyone”. Stables said he would start at his old school - Furness Academy.
  • Stables was told by the psychologist - and another in 2016 - that his threats were not explained or excused by his mental health problems.
  • Jury hears of an incident when Stables was at Furness Academy and he got another pupil in a headlock and held a hacksaw to his throat. Stables was expelled as a result.
  • While in Germany Stables researched “where to buy a machine gun” and “how to avoid airport police”. He says the second search was because he’d heard Barrow police had issued an arrest warrant for shoplifting and he thought they’d come to the airport on his return to arrest him.
  • Ethan Stables says “can I also point out that the swastika is also a religious symbol.”
  • Ethan claims that when he was arrested, walking from his flat towards the New Empire pub, he was just walking to the JobCentre in Michaelson Road where he often sat on the steps in the evenings and used the free wifi.