“Smiling and sharpening my knife”: Greater Manchester man encouraged violence against minority groups
Counter terrorism police arrested Sean Dowd after he was found to be behind a social media account that shared material with the intention of stirring up racial hatred
A man from Greater Manchester was has been found guilty of posting extremist material online with the intention of stirring up racial hatred.
Sean Dowd, 61, of Edgar Street in Ramsbottom, was arrested by counter terrorism officers in March 2023 after being identified as the person behind a social media account which had shared scores of antisemitic, racist, and xenophobic posts.
A number of these posts encouraged violence against various communities and praised those who had previously carried out terrorist attacks.
At the time of his arrest, Dowd’s account had 200 followers and the bio on his profile stated: “smiling and sharpening my knife”.
Sean Dowd (15/02/1963), of Edgar Street, Ramsbottom, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 25 July 2024) to 27 months in prison.
Dowd had previously pleaded guilty to 10 counts of publishing/distributing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting, intending to stir up racial hatred contrary to Section 19(1) of the Public Order Act 1986.
He also pled guilty to three counts of publishing/distributing written material which was threatening, intending to stir up religious hatred contrary to Section 29(C) of the Public Order Act 1986.
Appearing at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday, July 25, 2024, a judge sentenced Dowd to 27-months in prison
Speaking after the sentencing, Head of CTPNW (Counter Terrorism Police North West) Investigations, Detective Superintendent Andy Meeks said: “Over several months, Sean Dowd repeatedly shared offensive posts online which encouraged violence and anger towards minority communities.
“Unfortunately, we know all too well just how serious an impact the online activity of hateful individuals can have so I welcome the custodial sentence imposed by the judge today.
“This is another case which highlights the potential dangers of negative online activity so I would like to take this opportunity to continue to urge anybody who comes across hateful, violent, or extremist content to please report it to the police urgently so that action can be taken.”
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