Man who wrote racist ‘Muslim scum’ signs directed at neighbour was found to have Nazi memorabilia
Andrew Howard, 51, of Newton Heath, will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to racially aggravated harassment
A man who left racist signs directed at his neighbour telling him ‘we don’t want Muslims here’, was found to be in possession of Nazi memorabilia.
Andrew Howard, 51, left the offensive signs and markings near to the man’s house after he moved in nearby.
Some of the messages read ‘you Muslim scum’ and ‘go back to your own country’, Manchester Magistrates Court heard.
Howard, of Newton Heath, was then found to have Nazi memorabilia around his house including pictures of Adolf Hitler and swastikas.
Today, Howard pleaded guilty to one charge of racially aggravated harassment.
He will be sentenced next month following the preparation of pre-sentence reports.
Briefly outlining the facts of the case, prosecutor Martha Dowd said the matter went back to April last year when the man moved in near to Howard, shortly before the incident took place.
“When he moved in he found a number of graffiti markings and signs which were racist in nature, such as ‘We don’t want Muslims here’, “You Muslim scum’ and ‘Go back to your own country’.”
“Following a search of the defendant’s property, officers found Nazi memorabilia, photographs of Hitler, confederate flags and swastikas.”
Howard was said to have no previous convictions.
In mitigation, his defence lawyer Karl Benson said: “The matters go back to 2019, he has lost his good character and he has never been before the court before.
“There is a significant amount of matters he has discussed with me that I think would be best addressed in a full probation report.
“I do believe a report would make a difference to the sentencing of the defendant.
“He is upset in regards to his actions.
“He tells me he has PTSD following his time in the army.
“I believe that to pull these strings would allow the court to understand what makes the defendant tick and how he can be rehabilitated.
“He could be facing a custodial sentence, so I do believe a report would impact the sentencing of the court.”
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