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Racial abuse pair banned from Bulwell newsagents for five years

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July 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated common assault, Racist Abuse

TWO men who subjected a “decent and hardworking” Asian family to a torrent of abuse have been sent to jail and banned from their shop.

Stefan Davis and Kelvin Barratt were locked up for ten months and told not to go within 200 metres of the family’s newsagents in Bulwell for five years.
Judge Michael Stokes QC, who sentenced them, asked one of their solicitors: “Why should anyone put up with such behaviour?”

The men began their harassment at 7 o’clock one Monday morning as the family unloaded stock outside their newsagent’s in Bulwell.

Barratt, 25, of Courtleet Way, on the Crabtree Farm Estate in Bulwell, pulled a knife as he delivered an onslaught of foul remarks and words.

He asked one “what religion are you?” and she replied “what does that matter?”

He replied: “Because I’m EDL (English Defence League)”.

Matters then seemed to calm, with Davis shaking hands with a member of the family, and the men left.

But Nottingham Crown Court heard how they returned later that day, on April 16, and continued their racial abuse.

“Davis said, ‘I’ll be back. I’ll smash your shop. I’ll come back and rob your shop’,” said Robby Singh, prosecuting.

Davis then went to Tesco and shouted in the store before police arrived and arrested him and Barratt.

Barratt swore and said he had no respect for the police, the court was told.

Both men admitted racially aggravated harassment and using threatening words or behaviour. Barratt additionally pleaded guilty to having the knife.

Judge Michael Stokes QC told them the fact they were both drunk at the time was no excuse.

“The family who own the newsagents in Bulwell were at the shop at the time because they are hardworking, decent individuals.

“They didn’t want any trouble. The court will not tolerate such behaviour.”

The family asked the Post for their store not to be named for fear of further trouble.

Davis, 21, of Bromley Close, also on the Crabtree Farm Estate, accepted his behaviour was wrong, the court heard, and alcohol was a factor.

Andrew Wesley, in mitigation for Barratt, said his client had been out of trouble for nine years, was not a supporter of the EDL, was actively seeking work. He also said he was “deeply ashamed of his behaviour.”

Five in court over EDL gathering

By
July 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, Racist Abuse

FIVE men have appeared in court following disturbances during a rally staged by the English Defence League.

About 1,300 people attended the EDL action in Hanley on January 23.

The group said it was staging the demonstration to protest against Muslim extremism.

A group of about 400 counter-protesters, rallied by anti-racism organisations, trade unions and Staffordshire University, held its own demonstration in the city centre at the same time. There were 600 police officers on duty, and 17 demonstrators were arrested as violence flared.

Six officers were injured, vans and cars damaged and taxi services were suspended.

Yesterday, Wayne Baldwin, aged 41, of the Crescent, Hockley, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Hanley Forest Park.

Ruth Belfield, prosecuting at North Staffordshire Magistrates’ Court, said the defendant was in a group of about 100 who broke away from a 300-strong group being policed at the park.

She said: “He was seen to gesture toward police officers and shouted abusive language. He says he regularly attends EDL meetings and generally remains peaceful.”

The defendant was fined £180 with £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge by Deputy District Judge Elizabeth Harte.

Baldwin told the court: “I am sorry for what some of the idiots did in Stoke-on-Trent and I want to apologise for what I said and apologise to the officer.”

Anthony Cook, aged 22, of Shelley Road, Reddish, Stockport, pleaded guilty to a charge of displaying some writing, sign or other visible representation which was racially aggravated.

The court heard that he was not a member of the EDL and had travelled down to Stoke-on-Trent with friends.

Mrs Belfield said the defendant had been seen by a police officer writing a word in condensation on a bus window which was visible to the public. He was fined £100 with £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

A not guilty plea was entered by Michael Gawthorpe, aged 18, of Crofters Way, Chester, who is accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent.

He was unconditionally bailed until March 15 when a trial will be fixed.

Christopher Harley, aged 24, of Bower Street, Reddish, Stockport, denied a charge of displaying some writing, sign or other visible representation which was racially aggravated. He was conditionally bailed until March 15 to fix a trial.

The Deputy District Judge declined to use her powers to deal with Mark Doel, aged 43, of Primrose Hill, Batley.

Doel is charged with offences of violent disorder and assaulting a police constable.

His case was adjourned until April 6 for committal to Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court and he was conditionally bailed.

This is Staffordshire

EDL protester starts jail term for affray

By
July 18, 2013
affray, EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, violent disorder

A man accused of launching a “flying kick” at a police officer while at the forefront of trouble at an EDL march in the Black Country was today behind bars.

A man accused of launching a “flying kick” at a police officer while at the forefront of trouble at an EDL march in the Black Country was today behind bars.

Thomas Blackwell admitted a charge of affray during the EDL protest in Dudley on July 17 last year and was sentenced to one year in prison.

A DVD shown at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday showed Blackwell, aged 25, of Bird Street, Lower Gornal, wearing a white stab vest in the front few rows of protesters at the march as they confronted police.

Judge Michael Challinor told him the DVD showed he had “clearly” been at the forefront of the violence which erupted in Stafford Street on the day.

“You attended this demonstration with the intention of causing disorder and violence,” he said.

“This is clear from the fact you were wearing protective clothing in the form of a stab vest.

“In the course of this disorder you tackled a police officer by using a flying kick to his protective shield.”

Judge Challinor said he had considered the fact that Blackwell would lose his job and as a result, his home if sent to prison but added: “This type of violent behaviour so often prevents law-abiding citizens from protesting peacefully.”

Mr Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, told the court Blackwell had been near the front of the group of EDL protesters who had thrown bottles and bits of metal at police, before launching the “flying kick” at a police officer’s riot shield and swearing at him.

Mr Thomas said the group had also been chanting at the police and naming people who had killed officers, including Raoul Moat just weeks before.

Blackwell, who was unrepresented after having an application for legal aid denied, told the court he was “ashamed” of himself.

“I’ve shamed my family and my girlfriend,” he said. He added that he considered the term ‘flying kick’ an “exaggeration”.

Two others who have also pleaded guilty to affray during the EDL march will be sentenced on May 31.

Scott Bailey, 23, of Central Drive, Gornal, is accused of throwing a fence at police while Anthony Grant, 20, of Georges Road, Netherton, is accused of throwing “stones and large objects.”

Express & Star

Gang Jailed Following Disorder in Kirklees.

By
July 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Jailed, Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated common assault, Racist Abuse

Six West Yorkshire men and one youth have today been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court following a demonstration and disorder in Cleckheaton, Dewsbury and Heckmondwike in March last year.

The defendants from Bradford pleaded guilty to the charges made against them and will spend more than six years behind bars for the roles they played on the day.

Kevin Angelo Docherty (29) of Grisedale Close, admitted charges of violent disorder and racially aggravated criminal damage and was jailed for 14 months. Robert Adrian Collington (27) of Bedivere Road and Mark Peel (24) of Bolton Hall Road were given 12 months each for violent disorder, while David Kenneth Lawler (30) of Bradford Road, Shipley, was given a 13-month sentence for the same offence.

Also jailed for violent disorder was Ben Phelps (19), who received 10 months, while Steven Philip Woodhead (33) of Heysham Drive was given four months for racially aggravated common assault. A 17-year-old youth who cannot be named received a 12-month youth rehabilitation order.

On the afternoon of Saturday 17 March the English Defence League took part in a peaceful, pre-planned demonstration in Cleckheaton Town Centre. After two hours the group of around 60 people dispersed and a number of men made their way to various locations around Kirklees purporting to be part of the EDL displaying posters and flags as well as shouting abuse at members of the public.

Shortly after the demonstration concluded police responded to reports that a window at the Co-Op Travel Agents on Northgate in Heckmondwike had been smashed, then at around 4pm police received reports of disorder in Dewsbury Town Centre on Northgate and Corporation Street.

Two Asian men travelling in a Vauxhall Corsa were approached on Northgate when stopped at traffic lights and were racially abused. They were spat at as well as their car being damaged after a drink was thrown.

A group of men in Corporation Street had also racially abused and assaulted a 35-year-old Asian man. They knocked him to the floor leaving him with a black eye and bruising to his ribs. He received hospital treatment for his injuries.

Detective Inspector Andy Leonard said: “We welcome the sentences passed today and hope they serve as a warning to those who think its acceptable to abuse people because of the colour of their skin or their religious beliefs and also cause mindless damage.

“We support the right to a peaceful protest however this is an example of when we have had to take positive action against the minority who abuse this.

“These incidents cause fear and concern for innocent members of the public caught up in them and we will simply not tolerate such behaviour.

“Kirklees Division embarked upon a painstaking investigation in order to ensure those responsible were brought to justice and all this hard work has resulted in the sentences imposed by the Courts today.

“We would like to thank the many members of the public who have assisted with this investigation which underlines our ongoing commitment to ensuring the safety of the public in Kirklees.”

West Yorkshire Police

Dewsbury Reporter