Archive

racially aggravated public order offence

EDL supporters receive suspended jail sentences for beating up a Muslim at a tube station.

By
July 29, 2013
assault, community order, EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated public order offence, Suspended sentence

Salvatore Allegro - James Whitbread

Salvatore Allegro, 48, and James Whitbread, 36, were both found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence for beating up a Muslim at a tube station.

The men verbally abused Ahmed Farhan, telling him to “go back to your own country you f***ing Muslim c**t.”.

When Farhan got off the train at Bank station the two men followed him, shouting anti-Muslim abuse before punching him repeatedly. Both men were given a six month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

They were also both banned from engaging in any EDL activities, meetings or protests for 18 months.

Allegro was made to carry out 120 hours unpaid work while Whitbread was given an 18 month supervision requirement..The duo must each pay Mr Farhan £100 compensation as well as prosecution costs of £150.

IEngage

A woman has been fined £100 after she drunkenly told police she was going “P*** bashing with the EDL”.

By
July 25, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Fined, Public order offence, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated public order offence, Racist Abuse

Woman fined for shouting racial abuse while drunk on her way to EDL rally

A woman has been fined £100 after she drunkenly told police she was going “P*** bashing with the EDL”.

Lianne Tyler made the racist remark to a custody sergeant after being arrested on her way to Saturday’s English Defence League demo in Birmingham city centre.

The 20-year-old, of Brailes Grove, Bordesley Green , also twice referred to a police officer as a “black c***”, the court heard.

City magistrates were told officers had found Tyler drunk and carrying alcohol in New Street. She refused to be moved on and told police: “I’m not f****** leaving town, I’m going to EDL.”

Tyler, wearing a T-shirt and combat shorts in court, pleaded guilty to offences of failing to disperse and racially aggravated public order.

She was fined £50 on each charge, but the fine was deemed served by her time spent in custody since Saturday afternoon.

Police made a total of 20 arrests in connection with the EDL event in Centenary Square and a counter anti-fascist demonstration in Chamberlain Square.

Officers are now studying CCTV footage from the day to identify other possible offences.

There were a total of three hospital admissions for minor injuries, including a police officer who received head injuries after being hit by bricks. He was treated at hospital and later discharged.

Police say up to 2,000 people had gathered at the two rival protests .

But the unrest had repercussions for businesses in the city.

Jerry Blackett, chief executive of Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, said: “Retail sales contribute an estimated £3.1 million to Birmingham’s economy per day.

“It’s not possible to know what reduction to trading was caused by Saturday’s demonstrations but at this stage in the fragile economic recovery, we can’t afford any loss of trade, no matter how small.

“There is also the importance of Birmingham’s reputation, which has been transformed in recent years into a popular leisure destination.

“As the largest city outside of London, Birmingham will always be a centre for demonstrations.

“While the right to free speech must be upheld, we need to do all we can to make sure this is exercised in a responsible and safe way.”

Birmingham Mail

Drunken yob who threatened to burn down Eccles mosque avoids jail

By
July 22, 2013
community order, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated public order offence
John Walsh, 25, shouted abuse at a member of the mosque on Liverpool Road in Eccles before kicking at the door.
John Walsh, 25, shouted abuse at a member of the mosque on Liverpool Road in Eccles before kicking at the door.

A drunken yob who threatened to burn down a mosque has escaped jail ‘by a whisker’.

John Walsh, 25, shouted abuse at a member of the mosque on Liverpool Road in Eccles before kicking at the door.

Walsh – a plant vehicle operator from Boardman Street, Eccles – then turned on a nearby shop manager.

He was given a community penalty and warned he would face prison if he committed a similar offence in the next two years.

Walsh admitted two counts of racially aggravated public disorder when he appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court.

The court heard how a member of the mosque had been locking up after prayers when he heard Walsh shouting from across the street.

Patrick Buckley, prosecuting, said Walsh had shouted words to the effect that he was going to ‘burn down’ the mosque.

Walsh then kicked and pushed at the locked door before going into a nearby shop and racially abusing the manager.

He returned to the shop later and began shouting football songs, but a police officer was inside and he was arrested.

He said later he was ‘really sorry’.

John McDiarmid, defending, said Walsh was from a respectable family, but drank heavily at weekends while watching football with friends.

Remorse

He said he had no recollection of the offences, but had shown remorse.

Mr McDiarmid said: “This young man has a genuine willingness to change.”

Judge Bernard Lever, sentencing, gave Walsh a two-year community order with six months’ supervision.

He ordered him to carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and placed him under a curfew.

Judge Lever said prison would not help Walsh’s problems and added: “I’ve only been persuaded by a whisker to take this other course.

“You have had a very narrow escape.

“Be warned. Go home to your respectable family. Don’t drink too much and respect other people as they would respect you.

“I don’t want to see you again but, if I do, it will be for an inevitable custodial sentence.”

Manchester Evening News

Lincoln Man Given EDL CRASBO

By
July 19, 2013
CRASBO, EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated public order offence

Shane Overton

A Lincoln man has been issued with a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Crasbo), following his attendance at an English Defence League demonstration in Newcastle last year. 

Shane Overton (38) of Parker Avenue, Lincoln, was granted a 10-year Crasbo at Doncaster Crown Court yesterday, Wednesday March 9, which prevents him from attending any public meeting organised by the EDL.

Overton entered a guilty plea racially aggravated public order (section 5 Public Order Act) following an incident on a train at Doncaster on May 29 last year, for which he was arrested by British Transport Police.

DC Andy Haworth from the National Domestic Extremism Unit, a national police unit who worked alongside BTP and Lincolnshire Police, said: “It is only the second time a Crasbo of this nature has been granted to individuals participating in Defence League demonstrations, and it is widely anticipated other police forces will follow suit and apply for Crasbos to stop violent individuals from subverting other wise legitimate, lawful, protests.

“While the Defence Leagues are entitled to protest, violence has been a persistent feature of their demonstrations, and on this occasion on the offence was committed while travelling from a demonstration.

“We are working to support all police forces with Crasbo applications against any individual who persistently commits criminal acts at (or travelling to and from) Defence League demonstrations, regardless of whether they profess to support the Defence League or oppose it, in order to ensure future demonstrations are peaceful and lawful.”

A/DI Simon Bromiley, from Lincolnshire Police, said: “We are extremely pleased with this result. We have worked closely with our national partners on this case and we are hopeful that utilising this kind of legislation will enable us to curb Overton’s offending and tackle racism and Islamophobia in our community in the future.”

Chief Inspector Tom Naughton of British Transport Police said, “Racist abuse of any sort is unacceptable, but the nature of Overton’s insults levelled at a family minding there own business sat on the platform were despicable.

“Everyone has the right to travel without fear of abuse or threatening behaviour, and when that behaviour is further exacerbated by racist undertones, our stance becomes firmer still.

“BTP and the wider rail industry will not tolerate any form of racism on the rail network and we welcome the Crasbo handed to Overton.”

The local CPS Criminal ASBO lead, Yvette Levy, said: “No one should be made to feel fear or concern for their safety purely because of the language they speak or the colour of their skin. Overton’s victims were subjected to racially offensive language whilst patiently waiting for their train.

“The extreme views expressed by Overton caused two children to cling to their parents in fear.

“We have worked closely with the National Domestic Extremism Unit to ensure the strongest possible case was built and that any ASBO imposed against him would truly prevent further offending and protect the public.

“Overton is now prohibited from travelling on the country’s rail system or entering any railway station which is a significant step forward for the safety of train users.”

Lincolnshire Police

‘I’m British … go back to your own country’ Racist rant at Asian police officer.

By
July 19, 2013
criminal damage, Fined, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated public order offence

A BRADLEY man has admitted racially assaulting an Asian police officer.

And a court heard he then made an English Defence League salute after he was arrested.

Laszlo Michael Lankovits, of Elder Road, Bradley, pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence on May 21.

Kirklees Magistrates were told yesterday that the remarks were made when Lankovits was arrested at his mother’s address for breaching bail conditions.

Prosecutor Astin Bill told the court Lankovits said to the female officer: “I am British. I’ve served in the army. Where are you from? “Go back to your own country.”

He told the court that once in custody Lankovits then shouted out EDL before putting his hand to his chest and making a salute.

Defence solicitor Jonathan Slawinski told the court that his client deeply regretted his actions and was not a member of the English Defence League.

He told the court Lankovits had been to visit his mother on May 21 to discuss “issues” in his childhood.

He said: “He readily accepts what has happened.

“He made these silly and ridiculous comments at a time he had not taken his medication.

“He is pretty disgusted. He is not a member of the EDL.”

The court heard how Lankovits, who served four years with the Royal Engineers, had breached his bail conditions not to go to his mother’s address after he committed criminal damage to his stepfather’s car.

Prosecutor Aston Bill earlier told the court: “There was an argument at his mother’s home address. He wanted her to come out and speak to him.

“He then kicked a panel on a Toyota Yaris and his stepfather made a complaint to the police.”

Chairman of the bench Chop Dat told him: “We have taken into account what has been said. We have given you credit for your early guilty plea.”

Magistrates fined the defendant pounds 180 including pounds 15 victim surcharge.

Lankovits told the court after the sentence he was sorry for the remarks.

The Free Library

EDL supporters fined for on-train racist abuse

By
July 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Fined, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated public order offence, Racist Abuse

Three English Defence League supporters have been ordered to pay more than £350 each after being found guilty of subjecting rail passengers to serious racist abuse.

Tracey Hurley (33), Stuart Parr (28) and a 17-year old youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Wigan Magistrates’ Court on 20 January for trial.

The court heard that, on Friday 25 June last year, the trio had attended an EDL march in Bradford and had been on their way home when they travelled from Manchester Victoria to Wigan on a Northern Rail service. During the journey they became abusive and intimidating, subjecting several passengers to a torrent of racist abuse.

The abuse began when the three sang songs relating to the EDL and Taliban. At Salford Crescent an Asian man boarded the train and was immediately targeted by the group who shouted derogatory remarks about Allah to the man.

PC Tony McGibbon, of British Transport Police, said: “The abuse continued for some time and was directed at anyone on board the train who the three perceived to be anything other than white British. The behaviour of the three was offensive in the extreme, completely unacceptable and made everyone on the train feel incredibly uncomfortable.”

A passenger advised a member of rail staff who reported the behaviour of the three to BTP officers. After witnesses were spoken to the three where arrested and interviewed. During interviews they admitted having been at the EDL march and drinking heavily, but denied making any racist remarks or behaving in a racist manner.

PC McGibbon added: “Despite their initial denials, there is no doubt that these three behaved in a deeply offensive manner and subjected rail passengers to unacceptable and unwarranted abuse. BTP, the rail industry, and the wider criminal justice system, takes a dim view of anyone who behaves in such a way and the sentence handed out should serve as an example and warning to others.”

Hurley, of Kingsley Avenue, Goose Green, was fined £150, ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after being found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence. Parr, of Golborne Place, Scholes, was fined £150, ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after being found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence.

The youth, from Ashton-in-Makerfield, was fined £150, ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victim surcharge after being found guilty of a racially aggravated public order offence.

Lancaster Unity

Pair spared jail for mosque abuse

By
July 18, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated public order offence
Steven Dryden,left, and Brian Mackey leaving South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

Steven Dryden,left, and Brian Mackey leaving South Tyneside Magistrates Court.

TWO men who hurled a tirade of racial abuse at Muslims leaving a mosque in South Tyneside have been spared jail.

Brian Mackey and Steven Dryden went to a South Shields mosque after a night out in the town to air their racist views to worshippers who were leaving the building after late-night prayers.

Magistrates heard the duo filmed themselves on a mobile phone pledging their allegiance to far right group the English Defence League (EDL) during an onslaught of abuse outside the Baithul Mamur Jame Masjid Mosque, in Baring Street, South Shields.

The attack happened on September 5 last year after they had been discussing terrorism and religious extremism in Vogue nightclub, in nearby Ocean Road. Yesterday, the pair were back at South Tyneside Magistrates Court to be sentenced.

Bench chairwoman Dorothy Gibson gave each an 18-month community order and also made them subject to a curfew between 7pm and 7am for four months.

She told them: You cannot be proud of yourselves. It is only your previous good character that has saved you from jail.

Mackey, 26, of Emlyn Road, South Shields, and Dryden, 24, of Fife Avenue, Jarrow, both pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence when they appeared in court on January 28.

At that hearing, magistrates heard how the men did not believe they were being racist and were within their rights to air their political views.

Yesterday, their solicitor Jenny Coxon said: Mr Dryden acknowledges that his views can be seen as racist and understands how his actions are in line with the charge he has pleaded guilty to.

He said hes not going to join in with any EDL rallies again, because its those beliefs that got him where he is today.

Mr Mackey has the stronger views of the two, but they are something that both of them will work on with the probation service.

Jarrow and Hebburn Gazette