Man had Samurai sword ‘to avenge uncle’s death’

By
November 25, 2017
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Dominic Howe admitted having a Samurai sword in the street.

Dominic Howe admitted having a Samurai sword in the street.


A MENTALLY ill man, armed with a samurai sword, was on the way to avenge his uncle’s death when he was stopped by police in South Tyneside, a court heard.

Dominic Lewis Howe has been banned from South Tyneside for six months after being found with the 18-inch weapon while under the influence of drink and drugs.

The court heard a resident had raised the alarm after spotting the 20-year-old staggering along Sheridan Road, South Shields, at about 8am on Monday, with the handle of the sword sticking out of his trousers.

Howe was arrested and, after he’d sobered up, told police he had been on his way to find the man who had supplied his uncle with the drugs he used to kill himself with an overdose.

Yesterday, Howe, of Percy Road, Whitley Bay, appeared before South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

Jeanette Smith, prosecuting, said: “He told police he had been drinking. He had gone to watch Newcastle play and had been drinking.

“He had also taken cocaine and ended up in a friend’s house in Whiteleas.

“He continued drinking and began to think about his uncle, who died of a drugs overdose. He wanted to find the man who sold his uncle the drugs, and he went out with the intention of trying to kill that person.

“All that was on his mind was revenge.” The court was told that Howe has been diagnosed with a bipolar disorder and is hoping to receive medication in order to treat the illness.

Geoffrey Forrester, defending, said: “Looking at the reality of the situation, the defendant was extremely intoxicated and was staggering around with the sword down his trousers.

“In all probability he presented more of a threat to himself than to anyone else.

“There was no suggestion he was waving this sword around.

“This was something that was going to end with him being arrested by police before anything was going to happen. He wasn’t in any state to do anything.”

Magistrates warned Howe, who pleaded guilty to being in possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, that they were considering sending him to jail.

However, the court heard from the probation service that sending him to prison would be detrimental to his mental health condition.

Chairman of the Bench, Robert McDonald, said: “The bench has spent considerable time discussing how to deal with you for what is a very serious offence.

“Carrying that weapon in itself is dangerous. However, you did not produce it or threaten anyone, which is something we have taken into account.

“We were very close to sending you to prison.”

Howe was jailed for 12 weeks, suspended for 18 months, with 18 months supervision and banned from South Tyneside for six months.

Shields Gazette

Right-wing activists jailed over violent clashes between neo-Nazis and anti-fascists in Liverpool

By
November 24, 2017
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Opposing factions hurled missiles and caused up to £25,000 of damage to St George’s Hall left daubed with Nazi swastikas

Right-wing activists involved in violent clashes between neo-Nazis and anti-fascists outside Lime Street Station have been jailed.

A woman was left scarred for life, a man suffered a broken nose and a police officer was knocked unconscious in ugly scenes last year.

Liverpool Crown Court heard opposing factions hurled missiles and caused up to £25,000 of damage to the historic St George’s Hall.

Nazi swastikas were daubed on walls, cobble stones were torn up from the building’s plateau and a Victorian statue was damaged.

Shane Calvert, Wayne Bell and Brian Stamp today appeared in court, alongside allies Nikki Prescott and Alan Raine. Calvert admitted conspiracy to commit violent disorder, while Bell was convicted after a trial. Prescott, Raine and Stamp admitted affray.

Bell liaised with Merseyside Police to organise “The White Man March” for now-banned fascist terrorist group National Action on August 15, 2015.The event, in Liverpool, ended in “humiliating failure” for the far right, after they were met by a much larger group of counter-protesters.

Simon Driver, prosecuting, said the fascists “were forced to take refuge in a left-luggage facility” before police escorted them to trains. Stung by the embarrassment, another far right group, the North West Infidels, headed to Liverpool on February 27, 2016.

Police were not informed and organiser Calvert deliberately changed the location of the “anti-immigration demonstration” from Manchester to Liverpool.

Brian Stamp, 34, from South Shields, jailed for 16 months after admitting affray

Brian Stamp, 34, from South Shields, jailed for 16 months after admitting affray

Fascists were again met by police and counter-protesters but had enlisted a group of Polish men called the “Polish Hooligans”. One cluster of far right-supporters congregated at the Crown Pub, including Stamp, Prescott and Raine, at around 11.30am.

A second group, including Calvert and Bell, gathered on the steps of St George’s Hall, as trouble flared at around 1.30pm.

Mr Driver said: “They displayed North West Infidels banners and neo-Nazi flags. They made gestures, which included the Nazi style ‘sieg heil’ salutes.”

CCTV showed the stand-off, with rival factions separated by riot police, who held the first group at the pub and escorted them away. Smoke canisters and fireworks were thrown and, at 2.30pm, the group near the hall were joined by the Poles.

Wayne Bell, 37, from Castleford, jailed for two and a half years after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder

Wayne Bell, 37, from Castleford, jailed for two and a half years after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit violent disorder

They wore black hoodies emblazoned with “Polska Hooligans” and badges showing a person being kicked, captioned “good night left side”.

Police came under attack from both sides with industrial fireworks, flares, bottles, cobble stones and eggs. Mr Driver said: “A police inspector was knocked unconscious by a missile and a police constable suffered a broken wrist.”

A young female bystander suffered a facial gash requiring plastic surgery and a man suffered a cut and broken nose. People attending an antiques fair within the hall had to be locked in for their own safety.

A 75-year-old black woman who emerged was racially abused and struck in the forehead by a stone. Police eventually encircled the fascists and marched them to the station.

Shane Calvert, 36, from Blackburn, jailed for two years after admitting conspiracy to commit violent disorder

Shane Calvert, 36, from Blackburn, jailed for two years after admitting conspiracy to commit violent disorder

Mr Driver said Calvert wished to “avenge” the previous defeat, as shown in text messages to a man called Garron Helm. He and Bell, who bragged of punching left-wing activists “like that game whack attack”, recruited the Poles.

They exchanged messages talking of “payback time for Liverpool” and Bell spoke of “the local n***** population”.

Stamp boasted of buying “bad boy” gloves with reinforced knuckle-pads, which he was filmed wearing. Raine was recorded threatening “I’ll bite your f***ing face off” and Prescott yelling “come on then, let’s f***ing have it”.

Judge Menary imposed criminal behaviour orders, banning the five men from entering Liverpool for five years, for their “planned hooliganism”.

Billy Duggan, from Duggan & Parr Stone Repair Ltd, surveying the graffiti on St George's Hall

Billy Duggan, from Duggan & Parr Stone Repair Ltd, surveying the graffiti on St George’s Hall

He said: “There will, I have no doubt, be those on both sides of this political divide who are motivated by a desire to promote genuinely-held ideological beliefs – however repugnant or deeply offensive those views might appear to others.

“But I am equally sure that many of the people involved in the disorder on these occasions have made the journey or have involved themselves for no reason other than to behave like hooligans.”

Judge Menary jailed Calvert, 36, from Blackburn, for two years and Stamp, 34, from South Shields, who “came to Liverpool prepared for a fight” for 16 months.

He jailed Bell, 37, from Castleford, for two and a half years, telling him: “Your attitude towards other groups was deeply offensive, racist and you celebrated violent confrontation.”

Unemployed Raine, 41, from Sunderland, and doorman Prescott, 43, from Blackburn, each received 16 months in jail, suspended for two years.

Raine received a 25-day rehabilitation activity, 200 hours of unpaid work and a four-month home curfew, from 8pm to 6am. Prescott must complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity, 250 hours of unpaid work and pay £500 compensation.

Liverpool Echo

Britain First supporter David Davis attacked police officer during far-right protest

By
November 15, 2017
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Defendant, 20, reacted after counter-protester chucked firework during demonstration organised by Stoke-on-Trent Infidels

‘Abusive’ Britain First supporter David Davis ran at a police line and shoved an officer in the chest during a far-right protest.

The 20-year-old attended the Burslem protest which was organised by Stoke-on-Trent Infidels and featured Britain First leaders Paul Golding and Jayda Fransen.

But the father-of-one became angry when a counter-protester threw a firework towards the Swan Square crowd during the ‘rally against grooming’ demonstration.

Now Davis, of Leek New Road, Cobridge, has admitted assaulting PC Stuart Fellhouse.

Britain First supporter David Davis being arrested at far-right rallyBritain First supporter David Davis being arrested at far-right rally

Britain First supporter David Davis being arrested at far-right rally

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the rally took place on October 28. Police have previously stressed more arrests will be made following last month’s protest.

“Davis pushed the PC with both his hands in the middle of the chest before jumping back into the crowd. He was then put on the floor by another officer and arrested.

“The defendant accepted he should not have done it and said he pushed the officer because he wanted to get to the other crowd.”

Britain First supporter David Davis is wrestled to the floor by police

Britain First supporter David Davis is wrestled to the floor by police

Scott Ashdown, mitigating, told the court that the defendant has started an anger management course. He is already subject to a 12-month community order for a racially-motivated offence and has been working with the probation service.

PC Fellhouse was not injured in the incident and called for a community order to teach him about other beliefs and cultures.

The defendant was handed a 12-month community order.

Magistrate Vivian Patterson said: “It is to your credit that you have been complying with the probation service but you have found yourself in court for assaulting a police officer. You know it is wrong and we are making you subject to the community order so you do more work with the probation service.”

Davis must also pay £135 court costs, an £85 victim surcharge, a £50 fine, and £30 compensation to PC Fellhouse.

Stoke Sentinel

Britain First leader Paul Golding ordered to carry out community service for ‘really nasty’ night club attack

By
November 7, 2017
Uncategorized

Golding appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court after admitting assault by beating

Paul Golding pictured outside Sevenoaks Magistrates' Court

Paul Golding pictured outside Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court

The leader of Britain First has been sentenced for assaulting a martial arts instructor.

Paul Golding, of Beeches Close, Penge, South London, attacked Dean Williams in a Maidstone nightclub during the early hours of July 9.

He admitted a charge of assault by beating when he appeared at Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on October 17.

And today (Tuesday) he was given a 120 day suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid community work.

Golding was also told to pay £750 compensation to his victim, pay a £115 victim surcharge and another £85 in court costs.

Summing up, magistrate Alan Austen described it as “a really nasty and vicious assault in a public place”.

The court had previously heard Golding and Mr Williams, a mixed martial arts expert, had originally met in Derbyshire.

Golding later invited him to a self defence course in Erith and the pair, along with others, had gone out for a meal.

Later that evening Mr Williams said Golding “became very aggressive, drew his head back slightly and headbutted me in the face”.

The victim said he had suffered whiplash, chipped teeth and swelling and bruising to his nose.

“I attended my doctor’s surgery and am very shocked at the incident,” he added.

Defending, Golding’s lawyer said there was CCTV of the incident which showed there had been a degree provocation.

He said: “At the bar where they both were Mr Golding put his arm round the victim’s shoulder in a friendly, amicable way.

“The victim took exception to that and threw his arm off his shoulder.

“And Mr Golding walked away not just once, but twice.”

Golding, 35, is facing three charges of religiously aggravated harassment in relation to the trial of a gang of men who raped a teenager above a Ramsgate takeaway.

He is set for a three day trial next month, alongside deputy Britain First leader Jayda Fransen.

Kent Live

‘Marauding pack’ jailed for Sunderland back lane attack

By
November 1, 2017
Uncategorized



Four men jailed over a back lane attack which left an uncle and nephew fearing they would be killed were like “a marauding pack”.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the disturbance happened in the lane behind Peel Street, Hendon, and followed on from a demonstration in support of an alleged sex attack victim last September.

Sean Ruffell.

Sean Ruffell.

Two Asian men were drawn into the back lane by the sound of their cars being damaged, including a brick being thrown through a window, with repairs running to £1,100.

The court was told they could hear the word “dirty” being shouted underneath the shutters of a back yard, as well as comments relating to colour and Muslims.

A number of the eight men involved in the fight which broke out – which involved a garden fork and another tool – were wearing hi-vis jackets bearing the word “warden” on them which had been seen at the march.

Prosecutor Vince Ward described the men as a “splinter group” from the demonstration and added: “It’s clear from the context of this situation that this was a racially motivated attack.”

Witnesses told police they saw the men being kicked and punched, even when they were on the ground and clearly unconscious.

They were both taken to hospital by ambulance after police arrived on the scene. The uncle was left in need of stitches, with injuries to his head and right eye and bleeding from his gums and chin, while his nephew had a cut to the back of his head and forehead and injuries to his chest.

The uncle told officers: “I thought they were going to kill me” while his younger relative said: “I didn’t think anything like this could happen in England.”

Philip Hackers, 38, previously of D’Arcy Court, Hendon, and now of Oak Avenue, South Shields; Gary Hutchinson, 45, of Gilbert Court, Sunderland; Sean Ruffell, 26, of Athol Road, Hendon, and Darren Kerr, 26, of Gartland Avenue, Grindon, were each jailed for 27 months after they all pleaded guilty to affray.

Daren Kerr

Ruffell was jailed for a total of five years, with another four months given after he admitted possession of an offensive weapon – a knuckle duster found on him when he was arrested while he was involved in a fight in Mowbray Park in the aftermath of the demonstration – and 30 months for three counts of possession of drugs with intent to supply, dating back to a raid on his home in 2014.

Hutchinson faces another two months in jail for two shoplifting incidents from supermarkets while on bail for the affray.

Hackers also admitted possession of amphetamine on the day of the march, but faced no further punishment.

Recorder Nicholas Barker told the men: “After the demonstration it’s clear all four of you and four others decided on a course and were intent on finding trouble and that was the driver for distorted and prejudicial views towards Asian heritage.

Gary Hutchinson

“At this time you were a marauding pack.

“You were prepared or intent on meting out violence in any way that met your perverted ideas.”

The court heard alcohol had been consumed around the march, which had played a part in the outbreak of violence.

Ruffell’s ex-partner Jerri Butler, 27, of St Lucia Close, Hendon, who was not connected to the march in any way, was given 16 months imprisonment for possession of cocaine with intent to supply and 12 months in jail for possession of cannabis with intent to supply – the same charges as her former boyfriend – suspended for two years.

The court heard she had been working at a youth and community centre while the offending happened and had to leave her job as a result of the charges.

Phillip Hackers
Sunderland Echo

Thug’s sick Facebook post from COURT after he threatened to throw toddler out of window

By
October 31, 2017
Uncategorized

Josh Ingram made a post on Facebook from Grimsby Crown Court where he was sentenced for threatening to kill a young woman and her son

Joshua Ingram leaves Grimsby Crown Court minutes after a taunting post, inset, appeared on his Facebook page (Image: Grimsby Telegraph)

Joshua Ingram leaves Grimsby Crown Court minutes after a taunting post, inset, appeared on his Facebook page (Image: Grimsby Telegraph)


A grinning thug from Grimsby posted a sick Facebook post as he sat in court waiting to be sentenced for assaulting a woman and threatening to throw her terrified toddler out of a window.

Josh Ingram, 18, of Gilbey Road, joked and larked about with his supporters outside Grimsby Crown Court after he escaped jail, despite admitting charges of making threats to kill, assault and causing criminal damage.

But moments earlier, while still in court, Ingram made an abusive post on his Facebook page which appeared to be directed at his victim.

Writing a status update at 12.48pm from the court building, Ingram wrote: “Hahaha what a trampy liarr, still laughinggg like alwaysss (sic).”

Swaggering Ingram, described by his own solicitor as a “stupid young man”, walked free from court at 1.10pm after being given a suspended prison sentence and a life ban from contacting his victims.

A woman who appeared to be a relative later replied to his status, posting: “Bit daft writing this don’t you think?

The court was told how Ingram had shoved the toddler’s head into a wall, put a knife against his mum’s face and tried to smother her with a pillow during the terrifying ordeal on May 7, in which he told them both they would die.

During the court case, Craig Lowe, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that Ingram was at the home of his ex-girlfriend when his mood changed and he became very “nasty” towards her very young son.

He shoved the toddler’s head against a wall, causing him to scream, and told the woman: “You watch. I’m going to go mad.”

Ingram “smashed up stuff” and threw the boy’s rocking horse across the room. The boy was screaming and shaking.

ngram told the woman: “I’m going to throw him down the stairs. I’m going to throw him out of the window.”

The teenager later grabbed a knife and looked “so angry” before shouting: “I’m going to kill you both. You’re both going to die.”

Ingram put the knife to the woman’s face and told the boy: “I’m going to kill you.”

In mitigation Richard Hackfath, said Ingram was completely ill-equipped to deal with the responsibilities of his first proper relationship.

“He accepts his behaviour was completely beyond the pale,” said Mr Hackfath.

“It was terrible behaviour. This is a stupid young man who has behaved appallingly badly.”

Ingram was given a two-year suspended custodial sentence, 150 hours’ unpaid work, a three-month curfew, two years of supervision and 30 days’ rehabilitation.

He was also given a lifelong restraining order banning him from contacting the mother and her son.

Grimsby Telegraph

North Yorkshire bigot with crossbow who issued ‘call to arms’ against Muslims on Facebook is jailed

By
October 28, 2017
Uncategorized

A BIGOT who was arrested by the North-East counter terrorism police unit after issuing a “call to arms” against Muslims on Facebook has been jailed.

Police found a crossbow and a telescopic sight at Lee John Carver’s home when they investigated his series of anti-Islamic posts on the social media website, York Crown Court heard.

The 44-year-old had posted “there is a civil war coming”, he was an “archery slave” and that he had “arrows aplenty”, the Honorary Recorder of York, Judge Paul Batty QC said.

It was part of “a considerable number of months” of posts that revealed a “deep seated and deep rooted hatred of Islam”.

“It was effectively a call to arms to other like-minded bigots,” he told Carver.

“Bigots, for that is what you are and were, will be ostracised and will be held to account for what they do.”

Carver’s solicitor advocate Graham Parkin said the posts were the work of an “angry young man” who at the time was suffering from depression brought on by the effects of a life-changing motorcycle crash and who lived an introverted life in his house.

He had got the crossbow as an ornament or for use in his garden and had not taken physical action against Muslims.

Carver, of Greenacres Crescent, Selby, near York, pleaded guilty to three charges of stirring up racial hatred by publishing material on Facebook. He was jailed for 27 months.

He was brought to justice after a member of the public spotted his posts and contacted the North-East Police Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU).

Detective Chief Superintendent Clive Wain, head of the North East CTU, said: “Posts like these have the power to influence many vulnerable people and stir up racial hatred.

“As this case shows, it is vital that the public report concerning online material.

“By bringing such postings and websites to the attention of police we can work together with our partners to identify those responsible and put them before the courts.

“Anyone who has concerns regarding online content can report the material anonymously via gov.uk/ACT or call the police in confidence on 0800-789-321.”

Mr Parkin told York Crown Court that Carver’s problems coping with the effects of the crash had led to him being effectively homeless. But since his arrest last year, Carver had begun receiving treatment for his medical difficulties and had got accommodation and work.

Northern Echo

Racist rant thug with ‘grenade’ and sword who pledged to slash Muslims in viral video is jailed

By
October 26, 2017
Uncategorized

Paul Hepplestall said he had suffered three ‘savage attacks’ in jail – the last leaving him permanently scarred – and his family had been threatened

A thug who made a racist video threatening to slash Muslims and blow up mosques in the wake of two UK terrorist attacks was today jailed.

Paul Hepplestall filmed himself posing with a sword and a plastic grenade hanging from his t-shirt during the explicit rant.

The hate video – recorded two weeks after the Manchester Arena bombing and the day after the London Bridge attack – went viral.

The 40-year-old, of Cornwallis Street, Liverpool city centre, said: “This is a quick message to Muslims, p***s and terrorists, you can’t call yourself terrorists, cowards is what I want to call youse.

“Yeah, you run in with bombs strapped to use and blow yourself up, where there’s a bunch of innocent kids. There is nothing terrorising about that.

“Let me tell you, I will get people to run in your mosques with pineapples [a reference to grenades, prosecutors said], blow your mosques off this f***ing planet.

“Yeah, I will cut each one of your ears off with a sword, I will cut your fingers, your toes, I will cut you a thousand times until you bleed out.”

Trevor Parry-Jones, prosecuting, said he recorded and uploaded the “horrific video” some time on June 4 and, within hours, police forces across the country were receiving complaints.

He said Hepplestall was “aggressive and blunt”, adding: “It was particularly provocative and rather appalling in nature.”

Muslim parents in Merseyside, Bristol, Newcastle, Scotland and as far away as Yemen told Liverpool Crown Court they feared for their safety.

Hepplestall went on to make two more short videos, claiming the first one had just been a joke and saying he had friends in the ethnic community.

But Mr Parry-Jones said: “It was not considered to be a joke, because of the chilling nature.”

Police identified him but, before he was found, he handed himself in on June 5 and told officers: “I’m not a bad person, it was a bad massive mistake.”

Hepplestall was accused of using racially-aggravated, threatening language and threatening to destroy or damage property.

He said Hepplestall, who knew someone at the concert and had been drunk, tried to “redress the balance” after being “completely moronic”.

Mr Morgan said he had suffered three “savage attacks” in jail – the last leaving him permanently scarred – and his family had been threatened.

Jailing him for 20 months, Judge Elizabeth Nicholls said: “On the 22nd of May of this year, a number of innocent people were killed and injured at the Manchester Arena due to the actions of a suicide bomber.

“Manchester and the rest of the country were appalled by this atrocity. But Manchester’s response was to kick back at the fear and hatred intended by this act, and (come) together.

“Those of any faith or no faith stood shoulder-to-shoulder in condemning the act and supporting each other. It was a community brought together.

“A second terror attack occurred on the 3rd of June. This time in London but, again, the reaction was one that people can rightly be proud.

“People looked for a commonality, shared interests, provided support, and as one voice condemned the action.

“You recorded yourself on your phone, and uploaded that message to the internet. The message was threatening, frightening and full of racial bile. That message went viral.”

Judge Nicholls said his video caused “fear, anger and distress” to Muslims across the world.

She said: “They all believed you capable of carrying out the atrocities that you speak of.

“Many have children and describe their fear that they and their children may be attacked as they go about their everyday business.

“And, although it was obvious to them that you came from Liverpool, all were concerned as to the demons you may unleash in others.

“This video is offensive and obscene to any right-minded person, regardless of their belief system. It is unacceptable, not only because it is contrary to the law, but it is contrary to the standard we expect from anyone who lives in a civilised community.

“Your recording did exactly what the terrorist, that you purported to condemn, aimed to do – you spread the word of hatred, dissent and caused significant fear amid the community at large.”

The judge said the offence was “possibly the worse example of its kind”.

She added: “One would have hoped that hatred based on someone’s religious beliefs was something that we left behind centuries ago. Your words and recording are abhorrent to all civilised individuals.”

Liverpool Echo

Two men admit hate crimes after pork meat is smeared on Nottingham mosque

By
October 25, 2017
Uncategorized

The men are being sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court today

Two men have pleaded guilty to racially-aggravated hate crimes after pork was smeared on the door of a mosque.

CCTV footage showed 28-year-old Jamie Mullins urinating on the outside of Five Ways Centre in Sherwood, which is used for Islamic prayer, while wearing a football shirt, drinking from a can of beer and carrying a St George’s flag.

He then smeared the pork sausage meat on the mosque.

Mullins admitted two charges – one of racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, and one of racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage .

Mathew Sarsfield, of Daybrook, said he felt “ashamed” after watching the CCTV, and admitted one charge of causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress.

The court sent away Mullins, of Palmerston Gardens, St Ann’s, for a report to be made, with sentencing expected this afternoon, but Sarsfield was given fines totalling £230, and branded an “idiot” by presiding magistrate Paul Ensor at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court .

Jamie Mullins leaving Nottingham Magistrates' Court

Jamie Mullins leaving Nottingham Magistrates’ Court

Neil Fawcett, prosecuting, said the crimes happened in the aftermath of the “horrific events in London, including the attack on Finsbury Park Mosque, so that was playing on the mind of Dr Mughal, who was inside the mosque”.

In the early hours of June 18, during Ramadan, the pair had been watching a boxing match, and said in a police interview that they were “feeling patriotic”.

A worshipper leaving the mosque before the meat was smeared noticed two men loitering, and was so concerned that he watched the CCTV on his phone. He contacted Dr Nughal, who was still inside the mosque, who then called 999.

The court heard that Sarsfield, who was representing himself, played a lesser part in the events.

Mr Ensor said: “You’re an idiot, if you had walked away you would not be here, if you had taken control and said (to Mullins) ‘what do you think you’re doing’ then that would have been fine.

“But you stood there and were complicit in his actions. You did next to nothing other than be there and take a selfie.

Mathew Sarsfield leaving Nottingham Magistrates' Court

Mathew Sarsfield leaving Nottingham Magistrates’ Court

“There’s nothing we can hang you out to dry for, other than being an idiot.”

When asked by the magistrate how he intended to pay the fine, Sarsfield said: “I’m going to ask my dad.”

He then motioned at his father, who was in the public gallery.

The magistrate then said: “I know what I would be saying if I was your dad, and it would not be ‘here you go son’.

Speaking to Sarsfield, the magistrate then said: “You have children, so think about how, as a father, you would feel watching your children behaving in that manner. Ask yourself how you would feel.”

The court also heard that Sarsfield’s Facebook account was searched by police in the investigation into the crime.

Mr Fawcett said Sarsfield had shared posts from groups including the English Defence League, including lines such as “It’s not racist to love your people”, “Islam is on the rise, time to kick it back to the stone ages where it came from before it’s too late,” and “This isn’t immigration it’s an invasion”.

Nottingham Post

‘Neighbour from hell’, 66, convicted of harassing couple in bizarre 18-month campaign

By
October 24, 2017
Uncategorized

A nightmare neighbour harassed a couple by playing songs non-stop and intimidating them with a pottery figure of a fat woman.

Ex-chippie owner and former BNP candidate Barry Carr tormented neighbours in the cul-de-sac where he lived, a court was told.

Pensioner Barry Carr moved around the figurine of a reclining fat lady to target the woman who lives next, Blackpool magistrates heard.

Jennifer Anderson said Carr chose the ornament to taunt her because it looks like her.

Carr moved the three-inch pottery figure – and other ornaments – in a bizarre 18-month campaign so that every time she went to and from her home she saw it.

A court was told that Carr believed his neighbours envied his wealth and that is why they object to his choice of the song, Will Young’s Jealousy, which he played around the clock.

Mrs Anderson said: “This man has tormented me…he knows that figurine looks like me.”

Carr, 66, also put up model skulls around the outside of his home on Rossall Gate, Fleetwood, which has 19 security cameras, including some with night vision.

He used the cameras to film Miss Anderson and her partner, bodyguard David Smith, every day of the year.

Carr also upset the couple by pointing a false camera with a red flashing light into their kitchen. He also played the song Jealousy and Strange Lady About Town by Frankie Laine on a loop. The court heard the songs had lyrics designed to torment Miss Anderson.

Carr also put up a 20ft flagpole on which he placed a large picture of Mr Smith and littered his garden with ornaments such as chattering false teeth and a large owl on his chimney with a camera in it.

None had been there before the complainants had moved in.

He also put a bow tie on a skull fastened to a door which could be seen by the couple when they left their property.

They felt this was part of his campaign because Mr Smith would often wear a dinner suit and bow tie when he worked at night.

The couple decided to try to block out Carr’s view of their home and cut down the vision of his battery of cameras by raising the fence between their homes by 6ft.

However Carr then fastened the ornaments and a poster of Mr Smith to his fascia boards so they were still visible, the court was told.

When police asked him to remove the picture on his flagpole, Carr refused.

Sarah Perkins, prosecuting, said all was well when the couple moved in next to Carr.

She said: “His behaviour has become worrying, strange and obsessive. It has caused alarm and distress. They are a working couple and want to go to and from their work without being filmed.”

Miss Anderson told the hearing: “We moved in five years ago. The first six months were OK and we exchanged Christmas cards. Then we started to distance ourselves from him and realised he was filming us day in day out 365 days a year.

“The next thing is that a figurine of a fat lady in a blue stripy dress like one I wear has been put on his window sill looking at me all the time.

“On the advice of police I kept a diary every day of times and events.

“The music was so bad I could not go into the garden during the summer. I was getting scared to leave home.”

Mr Smith admitted in evidence that he got so sick and tired of one of Carr’s cameras pointing down their drive that he tried to adjust it by using a long handled brush.

He also admitted losing his temper with Carr.

He said: “He kept goading me saying I wasn’t a man and that my partner was fat and ugly,

“I am a former member of the Royal Protection Squad and can keep my nerve.

“But I did go up his drive a little and shoved him. I had had enough.

“He told me that because we rent our property is was bringing the neighbourhood down.

“He tried games like putting a bundle of £10 notes in a bush near our garden. Like he was trying to tempt us to take the money and he would have it on film.”

Carr, who stood for the BNP in Fleetwood West in 2009, told the magistrates: “I was being called a Neighbour from Hell – a nightmare. I only have the cameras for my own protection.

“I could not believe it when two police officers turned up at my home and said they were investigating the positioning of a figurine of a fat lady following a complaint.”

Steven Townley, defending, said: “Some pathetic incidents have been magnified beyond belief. My client has been picked on because he lives alone and has never been married. How on earth police have got involved is a mystery. Allegations have been flying round like confetti.”

THE DETAILS

Carr was found guilty after a two day trial of a charge that between 2016 and 2017 he harassed the named couple by the display and position of garden ornaments, watching them on CCTV, playing the same songs repeatedly and on occasion following Miss Anderson and taking a picture of her as she walked her dog.

Bench chairman David Hearton told Carr: “Some of these issues may seem trivial individually but together they become much more serious.”

“It was like the dripping tap syndrome – time after time after time causing stress and distress.”

Carr was given a 10 week jail term suspended for a year. He must pay his victims £200 each compensation and £900 court costs.

He must not communicate with his neighbours ,not display photos of them and not have any camera pointing at the front of their home.

fter the case, Carr said “I do not feel justice has been done and I will appeal.”

Mr Smith said:”It has been a long process and we are happy with the outcome.”
Blackpool Gazette