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Racist Abuse

Quran ‘desecrated’ in Chorley mosque attack

By
July 18, 2013
Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated criminal damage, Racist Abuse, racist graffiti

A Quran was ’desecrated’ and racist graffiti daubed at a mosque, it has emerged.

Two teenagers have been charged with racially aggravated criminal damage connected with the incident in Chorley.

Police said intruders entered the Dawat Ul Islam Masjid, also known as Chorley Mosque, in Brooke Street, before causing interior damage and damaging various items, including a Quran.

Officers added that racially-abusive graffiti was found on walls at the building during the incident.

Police said that their investigations had not linked the attack to any organised anti-Islamic group.

Coun Hasina Khan, who lives nearby and represents Chorley east on the borough council, said many Muslims in the town were shocked by the incident.

She said: “Every religion and all places of worship should be given the greatest of respect by all members of the community.”

She added: “Chorley is a place of cohesion between the communities and incidents like this are very rare.”

Sergeant Kevin Mountain, from the Chorley neighbourhood police team, said: “We treat incidents of this nature with the utmost gravity.

“I would urge anyone who feels they have been subjected to a crime because of their race or religious beliefs to contact us immediately and we will investigate fully.”

 The £500,000 mosque, which opened five years ago, has a capacity for more than 500 worshippers and was the first purpose-built mosque in Chorley.

Its facilities include a wash room and two large prayer rooms on each floor.

The incident happened on April 16 but police have only just released details after charging two people.

Daniel Barrow, 18, of Berkeley Close, Chorley, has been bailed to appear before Blackburn magistrates on July 15 charged with racially-aggravated criminal damage.

A 17-year-old youth has been bailed to appear before a juvenile court in Chorley on July 5 charged with two counts of racially aggravated criminal damage.

The Citizen

Racial abuse pair banned from Bulwell newsagents for five years

By
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

Carer wrote ‘EDL’ on mosque – Andrew Baldwin guilty of damage to Muslim World League building on Charlotte Street

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

A CARER who wrote “EDL” and drew a religious cross on the wall of a mosque has been found guilty of aggravated criminal damage.

Andrew Baldwin, from Fitzrovia, admitted daubing the three letters – representing the far right English Defence League group – and the cross on the wall of the Muslim World League (MWL) building in Charlotte Street, Fitzrovia, on December 10 and again on March 5.

The 38-year-old, who is a full-time carer for his father, also admitted destroying a CCTV sign attached to the building on March 26.

However, he denied a further charge that his actions were motivated by racial or religious hatred. Giving evidence at Highbury Magistrates’ Court last Thursday, Baldwin said he was not an EDL member, but replied “yes” when asked by prosecutor Jonathan Efemini whether he supported the group. He said his graffiti had been aimed at “wrong’uns” rather than Muslims in general, adding: “Anyone going into that building to do their business and pray to their god, it’s not aimed at them. It’s aimed at the other types.”

Baldwin said he had wanted the message to be seen by “people who abuse our soldiers, burn ­poppies and commit terrorism on our train system”.

In a police interview played to the court, Baldwin said he had ripped down the CCTV sign because he had been “having a bad day, I suppose”.

Defending, Dan O’Callaghan said Mr Baldwin had “never denied the basic fact of what happened” and had been “consistent in his representations that this was not religiously aggravated”.

He added: “It was unwise and unpleasant to do it [graffiti] on the building he did it on, but what we say is the motive required under section 38 of the Crime and ­Disorder Act simply did not exist in this case.”

Judge Anthony Martin said Mr Baldwin’s evidence had been “inconsistent”, adding: “In our view that graffiti would offend a class of people rather than ­particular individuals.”

He also said there was no ­evidence to suggest anyone who used the MWL building was involved in terrorism or the other acts cited by Baldwin.

In a statement read to the court at the start of the trial, Dr Ahmed Makhdoom, director of the MWL building, described the graffiti as “very disturbing”.

He added: “I do not want this man [Mr Baldwin] to go to prison. I want him to understand what we do.”

Sentencing will take place on May 12.

Camden New Journal

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

Offensive taunts directed at teenagers

By
July 18, 2013
community order, Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated common assault, Racist Abuse

A MAN shouted that a passing group of black teenagers were ‘looters’ in the wake of the riots last summer, a court heard.

Stefan Adamson, aged 24, then grabbed a 14-year-old boy and shook him by the straps of his rucksack in the city centre, Plymouth Magistrates’ Court was told.

adamson

Adamson told the group of six, who were all black save one who was from a Turkish background, that they were ‘rioters’ and ‘looters’ following the violence that tore through Britain.

Adamson, of Old Woodlands Road, Crownhill, denied racially-aggravated common assault and racially-aggravated threatening behaviour on August 12.

But he was found guilty of both offences after a trial. Sarah Vince, opening for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “He singled out a group of black teenagers and taunted them in the street simply because of the colour of their skins.”The boy, now aged 15, told the court he had been walking down Armada Way towards the Hoe with five friends on the afternoon of August 12.He said as they passed the outside seating area of The Berkeley, formerly Bar Ha Ha, a tall man with a prominent tattoo on his neck shouted that they were ‘rioters’ and ‘looters’.The boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said the group walked by, but then returned to ask the man – Adamson – why he had called them names.He said Adamson accused them of ‘coming to our country’ and ‘taking our jobs’.

The boy said: “He started pulling the straps of my rucksack, he started shaking me and pulling me around.”

Adamson, who is 6ft 3ins tall, admitted in evidence to referring to the group as ‘looters’ and ‘rioters’.

But he said the comment was made to a friend and was a joke.

Adamson denied making any further comments and said he ‘did not lay a finger’ on the youth.

District judge William Tait said he was guilty of ‘offensive behaviour’ by insulting the group because of their appearance.

He added: “You showed hostility to the group simply because you perceived them not to be British.”

Mr Tait gave him a 12-month community order with 80 hours unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £25 compensation to the boy and £300 in prosecution costs.

The court heard that Adamson is already doing unpaid work on a community order imposed in November, when he admitted sending an offensive message by a public communication network.

Adamson, who had turned up at court wearing a David Cameron mask, urged internet users to ‘Bomb The Herald offices’.