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religiously aggravated threatening behaviour

Derek Phin jailed for mosque threat after Lee Rigby murder

By
February 28, 2014
facebook, hate crime, Jailed, religiously aggravated threatening behaviour, religiously-aggravated offence, scottish defence league
Derek Phin

Derek Phin

An Aberdeen man who posted a Facebook comment about burning down a mosque in the wake of Lee Rigby’s murder has been jailed.

Derek Phin, 46, admitted posting the threatening and abusive remark about Edinburgh Central Mosque on the social networking site in June last year

British soldier Lee Rigby was attacked and killed in London in May.

At Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Sheriff Annella Cowan jailed Phin for 12 months.

Police had confronted Phin at his home after receiving a tip-off about the comment.

He later stated to officers that he was a member of the Scottish Defence League.

Phin admitted during a previous court appearance posting a threatening and abusive remark with religious prejudice.

Defence agent David Sutherland said: “My client accepts it was unacceptable and inexcusable.”

Sheriff Cowan said: “Justice in this country is measured and considered.

“Everyone in this country is entitled to the same freedoms and protections.

“You have abused what you think is your right to free speech to threaten the safety of innocent people in their place of worship because of your mistaken understanding of what they or their co-religionists stand for.

“Nothing other than a prison sentence is appropriate.”

Earlier this week, Michael Adebolajo was given a whole-life term and Michael Adebowale was jailed for a minimum of 45 years for Lee Rigby’s murder outside Woolwich barracks in south-east London.

They drove a car into Fusilier Rigby at 30-40mph, before dragging him into the road and attacking him with knives and attempting to decapitate him with a meat cleaver.

BBC News

Man who launched smoke grenade into mosque is jailed

By
August 21, 2013
affray, EDL, English Defence League, explosives, Jailed, possessing an offensive weapon, Racial Conviction, religiously aggravated threatening behaviour, religiously-aggravated offence

Geoffrey Ryan

Geoffrey Ryan



A man launched a smoke grenade into a mosque and threatened to kill Muslims after he “snapped” following his brother’s death.

Geoffrey Ryan, 44, approached the Al-Falah Braintree Islamic Centre, in Silks Way, Braintree, armed with two knives on the evening of May 22.

He was jailed for nine months on Monday after admitting two charges of having a bladed object in a public place and one charge of affray.

Construction worker Ryan, of Brick Kiln Way, Braintree, threatened centre member Saruk Miah, causing him to fear for his safety.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard Mr Miah had arrived at 7pm, half an hour before evening prayers, to prepare himself a snack.

He had been in the centre for about three or four minutes when he heard an explosion, caused by a yellow smoke grenade thrown into the building.

Ryan then shouted out “I am here to kill you”

The court heard Ryan’s brother had committed suicide a week prior to the incident.

Judge Anthony Goldstaub QC said: “It was an attack both racially and religously motivated and showing hatred on both counts and it is the kind of thing that won’t be tolerated in this country.”

Speaking after the case, Dc Andy Young, of Essex Police, said: “The incident that occurred at the Al-Falah prayer centre caused unnecessary fear, not only for the people who witnessed it, but also local residents at a time when emotions were already running high due to the death of Drummer Lee Rigby in London.

“Ryan’s imprisonment should serve as a warning to others who intend to cause fear and unrest in the community for their own agendas, whether personal or not.

“I would like to thank the members of the Al-Falah prayer centre for their support during the investigation and for their continued efforts in which they have hosted local events intended to increase understanding and tolerance within a multi-cultural community.”

Braintree and Witham Times

Links to EDL   Islamophobia-Watch

Shamed Lincolnshire teenager guilty of attack on Muslim policeman

By
July 19, 2013
Racial Conviction, religiously aggravated threatening behaviour, threatening behaviour

A 17-YEAR-OLD youth has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work after carrying out a religiously aggravated attack on a police officer.

The Cherry Willingham youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was previously found guilty of assaulting off-duty Muslim police officer PC Rizwaan Chothia by Lincoln magistrates following a two-day trial held earlier this month.

He faced trial alongside Daniel Odling, 26, of High Street, Blyton, near Gainsborough, who was found guilty of religiously aggravated threatening behaviour and fined £450 and ordered to pay £500 costs plus a £15 victims’ surcharge.

During the trail, the court heard how a group of six or seven men entered the Grandstand on Carholme Road, where 30 to 40 Muslims were gathered for a meeting on July 9 last year, and behaved in a threatening manner.

The meeting was held to identify a site for a new place of worship after the Lincoln Islamic Association’s application for a mosque in Boultham Park Road was rejected.

Magistrates were told the uninvited group turned up following publicity about the event, and used profane and blasphemous language against the Muslim community members who were gathered.

Jane Loader, prosecuting, said: “Some of the men entered the meeting hall and were abusive to members of the Muslim community.

“The males and some attendees at the meeting then went outside and a confrontation took place. The 17-year-old youth approached PC Chothia and said ‘come on then’ while gesturing with his hands.

“He was trying to antagonise him and provoke a reaction but PC Chothia did not respond.

“The youth swung his right arm, making contact with PC Chothia’s face in a punch-come-slap motion.

“Again, PC Chothia did not respond.”

The court heard that PC Chothia was uninjured in the attack but alarmed and distressed by the group’s intrusion and blasphemy.

He had recognised the 17-year-old youth, who has no previous convictions, from a photograph at the police station.

In mitigation, magistrates were told the youth deeply regretted going to the meeting.

Sunil Khanna, defending, said: “He lashed out but it is accepted no injury was caused.

“He never used any blasphemous language or comments about Islam.

“This incident occurred because he followed other people and was led down the wrong path but he has now come a long way from the views he held a year ago.”

Chairman of the bench Hefina Brumpton gave the youth a 12-month youth rehabilitation order and a 12-month supervision order.

He was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work pay £100 costs.

This is Lincolnshire