Drunken pair chanted ‘EDL’

By
August 24, 2013
EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, Racist Abuse

A DRUNKEN woman angrily hurled racist abuse at staff in a takeaway shop – including chanting references to the far-right English Defence League.

She and a man, who was in a foul-mouthed group of troublemakers, turned on a Brazilian man who tried to intervene and they both assaulted him during an “ugly” confrontation, Grimsby magistrates heard.

Rebecca Swan, 38, of Beacon Avenue, Cleethorpes, and Christopher Drury, 23, of Corporation Road, Grimsby, admitted a racially aggravated assault on Carlos Defreiates, on July 4. Swan also admitted using racially aggravated threatening words or behaviour.

Nick Wyman, prosecuting, said Swan and Drury were among a group outside the Topkapi takeaway in High Street, Cleethorpes, in the early hours. Swan and some men were repeatedly chanting “EDL” and pointing towards people inside the shop.

Swan shouted racist abuse and was pointing her finger towards the takeaway. The chanting and abuse continued for a couple of minutes. Racist language and “EDL” were shouted again.

Swan shouted: “If you live here, you should abide by our laws”. Mr Defreiates, who is Brazilian, got involved and asked Swan and Drury why they were doing it.

The group turned on him and wrongly thought he was Polish. Swan asked him: “Where are you from? You shouldn’t be here.” She rammed her finger in to his chest several times and told him: “You are in England. You should live by my laws.”

Swan slapped him across his neck and Drury hit him in the chest with the palm of his hand, causing him to fall to the ground.

“It was an ugly incident,” said Mr Wyman.

Ghaff Khan, mitigating, said three people were involved in the abuse but one of them was not charged. Swan was very drunk and claimed she had “no idea who the EDL were”. She was not a member of the group and did not consider herself to be racist.

It was “drunken stupidity” and Swan claimed she could not remember much about the incident, said Mr Khan.

Graham Ives, representing Drury, said his client had shown remorse for his role in the “unpleasant” disturbance.

Drury claimed he “did not know what the EDL was but he does now” after looking on the internet. He merely asked Mr Defreiates “You’re Polish, are you?” and the assault was very minor.

“He’s not a political person,” said Mr Ives. “He’s not a racist. He is very sorry he got involved in this incident and blotted his copybook.”

Drury had drunk 10 to 12 cans of lager with a friend.

Mother-of-two Swan, a cleaner at a medical centre, was given a four-week, 9pm to 7am, curfew and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a Government-imposed £60 victims’ surcharge.

Unemployed Drury was given a one-year conditional discharge and was ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 surcharge.

This is Grimsby

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

Cambridge man who threatened to torch a mosque banned from city’s Islamic centres

By
August 19, 2013
CRASBO, Public order offence, Racial Conviction
David camp - banned from Cambridge Islamic centres

David camp – banned from Cambridge Islamic centres

A man has been issued an Asbo banning him from going near a number of Islamic premises in Cambridge after he threatened to burn down a mosque.

David Camp, 35, of Thorpe Way, off Ditton Lane, Cambridge, was made subject of an anti-social behaviour order at Cambridge Magistrates’ Court yesterday after he was convicted of several racially aggravated offences..

Camp had previously admitted to posting a large number of offensive anti-Islamic messages on Twitter between April 1 and June 5. He had also admitted to three further public order offences following a drunken outburst in Mill Road on June 30 during which he shouted abuse at members of the public. During that incident Camp threatened to burn down a mosque, he continued to shout abuse at the officers who then arrived and arrested him.

He was sentenced to a 12-month supervision order with alcohol treatment requirement on July 12.

Following an application by police, a two year criminal Asbo was granted, banning Camp from entering parts of Mawson Road, Tenison Road, Devonshire Road, Mill Road or Whitechapel Road, in London. He is also banned from entering St Paul’s Road or Darwin Drive in their entirety, or from going within 50 metres of Omar Farouk Mosque in Kirkwood Road.

Sgt Matt Gadsby said: “We enjoy a rich and diverse mix of cultures and religions in Cambridge and David Camp has caused considerable distress through his behaviour so we are pleased to have secured the order in full.

“This Asbo is fundamentally about promoting public safety and protecting the rights of the community, and will hopefully provide reassurance that we will not tolerate either racism or anti-social behaviour in any form.

“Camp has now been given clearly defined boundaries by the court, and is aware of the penalty should he choose to ignore them. In publicising this matter we are now seeking the support of the community in promoting the effective reporting and enforcement of the order.”

Cambridge News

Kingston Mosque attacker back in jail for ‘disturbing’ Surbiton knife attack

By
August 16, 2013
grievous bodily harm, Jailed
David Morris

David Morris


A racist thug jailed for attacking Kingston Mosque is back in prison months after being released – this time for brutally stabbing a man during a wake.

David Morris knifed construction worker Edminas Samulionis at Hart’s Boatyard in Surbiton on December 13, 2012.

In what police described as a “deeply disturbing” act, Morris – who had played no part in the fight up to that point – was captured on CCTV leaving the Portsmouth Road pub and walking to his van in the car park.

He returned with a 7in blade and stabbed Lithuanian-born Mr Samulionis repeatedly, before leaving in his van at speed.

The victim suffered a punctured lung and has still not fully recovered from the attack. It is understood he has since returned to his home country.

On Friday at Kingston Crown Court, Morris, 22, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm. He had originally been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Speaking after the sentencing, detective constable Tony Holley said: “This was a deeply disturbing result to an incident that got completely out of hand.

“Not only was David Morris not involved with the argument, but he had not engaged in the fighting at all, yet he took it upon himself to calmly leave the venue, arm himself with a knife, re-enter and repeatedly stab somebody who was incapacitated on the floor.

“I believe Mr Samulionis is very lucky to have escaped without more serious injuries, although he has still not fully recovered.”

Mr Samulionis was one of six construction workers enjoying a Christmas meal at Hart’s Boatyard at the same time as the wake, which Morris was attending.

He had started a conversation with the girlfriend of another member of the wake, Liam Fernandez, who confronted Mr Samulionis.

A fight later broke out involving Mr Samulionis and colleague Mantas Zakrys, who was put in a headlock and bottled.

Morris then walked to his van and got the knife before returning to stab Mr Samulionis.

Fernandez, 27, of Carnforth Close, Epsom, pleaded guilty to affray and was handed an eight-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at an earlier hearing.

Morris, of Elm Way, Epsom, was among three men sentenced to prison in April last year for an unprovoked attack on Kingston Mosque.

He had been part of a gang of masked men who targeted the mosque after a march in November 2010.

He received six months for racially aggravated criminal damage, after throwing rashers of bacon over the Islamic place of worship.

Surrey Comet


Kingston Mosque attack

Victim had her lifestyle ‘completely destroyed’ by violent far right thug.

By
August 12, 2013
Domestic violence, EDL, English Defence League, Harassment, Jailed

A HARASSMENT victim had to flee her home when her ex-boyfriend’s mother called to say he was on his way over to stab her, a court has heard. The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had her lifestyle ‘completely destroyed’ by Simon Marshment, a thug with connections to the EDL and Casuals groups.

The Shakespeare Road resident told police she was the one harassing him. But, when officers warned her to stay away from Marshment, she showed them his abusive messages, several of which were read to Burton Magistrates’ Court.

They read: “I can’t beat you in my usual way so I must go through the proper channels.

“This is only the start. It’s your choice how far this goes. If I see you out I’ll ruin your life and your family’s. Now the fun begins.

“I’m going to make you pay. You’ve hurt me and now it’s my turn. What colour do you want your car – cream, pink or burned out? I’ve got a special surprise for you this weekend. I’m quite excited.”

Marshment was jailed for 18 weeks and ordered not to contact the victim.

Burton Mail

Appears to have learned nothing. EDLNews

Family man spared jail over ‘Lee Rigby’ riot

By
July 31, 2013
community order, EDL, English Defence League, Suspended sentence, threatening unlawful violence
Disorder followed a walk raising money for the Help for Heroes charity, and in memory of murdered drummer Lee Rigby, in Bristol last month.

Disorder followed a walk raising money for the Help for Heroes charity, and in memory of murdered drummer Lee Rigby, in Bristol last month.

Paul Lloyd, a family man involved in riots that followed the murder of soldier Lee Rigby has been given a suspended jail term.

Paul Lloyd was singled out from a group of men who clashed with police when a supposed peace walk turned violent, Bristol Crown Court heard.

The court was told members of the English Defence League, as well as supporters of United Against Fascists, converged in Kingswood for the social- media-sparked event.

Police arrested Lloyd in a melee that resulted and spotted him mouthing “EDL” during a stand-off in a pub in St George, the court heard.

Lloyd, 39, of Little Stoke, pleaded guilty to threatening unlawful violence The judge handed Lloyd a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, with 200 hours of unpaid work. He was ordered to pay £150 prosecution costs and an £80 victim surcharge.

Bristol Post

Asbo woman jailed over racist graffiti spree.

By
July 31, 2013
ASBO, criminal damage, EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated criminal damage, Suspended sentence

Georgina Gontar, 20, of Old Woking, pleaded guilty to a breach of an Asbo, four offences of racially aggravated criminal damage and two of causing criminal damage when she appeared at Guildford Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (April 17).

The graffiti, including the the name “Bin Laden” and the letters “EDL”, was daubed inside a shop at Lion Retail Park, on a wall in view of the Shah Jahan Mosque in Oriental Road and outside properties in Walton Road on November 12 last year.

For the Asbo breach and racially aggravated criminal damage, Gontar received a custodial sentence of 10 weeks, suspended for 12 months.

For the criminal damage she received a custodial sentence of seven weeks, suspended for 12 months, to run concurrently with the first term.

During the 12-month period, Gontar has a supervisory order in place and she is required to participate in a diversity awareness and prejudice programme.

The magistrates also ordered Gontar to pay compensation of £650 to the James Walker Group, £40 to Hobbycraft and £20 to Unit 18 Boundary Way at the hearing.

She was jointly charged with 19-year-old Laura Woodward of Addlestone.

Get Surrey

Woking People

EDL supporters admit roles in Walsall protest disorder

By
July 30, 2013
Demo, EDL, English Defence League, Fined, Racial Conviction, racially aggravated harassment, threatening behaviour
John Sharpe, aged 45, from Walsall and Kyle Kirkbridge, aged 24, from Rugeley

John Sharpe, aged 45, from Walsall and Kyle Kirkbridge, aged 24, from Rugeley

Kyle Kirkbride, 24, of Rugeley, admitted threatening behaviour, while John Sharpe, of Leamore, Bloxwich, admitted racially aggravated harassment at the EDL protest in Walsall on 29th September last year.

Walsall Magistrates Court heard Sharpe made racist remarks to a police officer. District Judge Michael Morris ordered him to pay a £100 fine, £150 compensation, £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

The prosecution said Kirkbride, had made rude hand gestures to Asian men.

Mr Jason Georgiou, mitigating, said he was not racist and was responding to the men. He was given a £280 fine, told to pay £85 costs and £15 victim surcharge.

Express & Star

Teenager admits racist graffiti near mosque.

By
July 30, 2013
community order, criminal damage, EDL, English Defence League, Racial Conviction, racially-aggravated criminal damage

Laura Woodward, A teenager spray-painted racist graffiti near a mosque and daubed the names Saddam Hussein and Bin Laden on flats during a booze-fuelled spree.

Laura Woodward, 19 of Byron Road, Addlestone, admitted four counts of racially and religious aggravated criminal damage and two of criminal damage.

Woodward, appearing before Guildford magistrates last Thursday, also admitted racially aggravated damage to the front door of an Asian man whom she knew.

Nick Wilson, prosecuting, told the court that Woodward and another girl bought spray paint from Hobbycraft in Woking on November 12 last year when they “commenced these acts of criminal damage”.

The court was told that Woodward sprayed her name and either the number four or a cross in the ladies’ cloakroom at Hobbycraft.

The pair then headed towards the Shah Jahan Mosque, where they painted racist words on a nearby wall in Oriental Road, mis-spelling England as they did so.

It cost almost £1,000 to remove the offensive material.

The public wall of the car park belonging to the same company was also sullied with racist graffiti, which the court heard will cost £344 to put right.

A silver Seat Alhambra car was vandalised with pink spray paint, costing the owner £15 to wash off.

The names Bin Laden and Saddam Hussein were daubed on the public wall of Walton Court flats and the letters EDL – an acronym for the English Defence League – were scrawled across the public wall and windows of business units 14 and 18 Boundary Way.

Nick Wilson, prosecuting, said the additional charge was in relation to graffiti on the Asian man’s house door.

“He treated her as his first girlfriend,” Mr Wilson said.

“He went to work and came home to find his house had been treated in this way. They were friends and this is what she did.”

The court heard that it would cost £1,500 for a new door.

Chris McGlinchey, defending, said: “She was, as you may have gathered, substantially drunk.

“The bulk of her offences were when she was using drink.”

Mr McGlinchey added: “She fully accepts that these offences will have caused a great deal of offence and she has developed a degree of empathy as a result.

“She is now in work and it is fair to say she has taken steps on her own part to reduce her drinking. She has asked me to make an apology on her behalf, which you may take with a pinch of salt but the apology is heartfelt.

“She has engaged with people of that community since. She does not see herself as being a racist.”

District Judge Workman said he had considered sending Woodward to a young offenders’ institution but instead decided on a community order.

He warned her: “I must make it clear – if you break the order, that is where you are going to end up.”

Woodward was sentenced to a 12-month community order plus 100 hours of unpaid work.

She must also pay damages of £100 to the mosque and £400 for the damaged door.

District Judge Workman said: “The unpaid work is to at least give something back to the community.

“All graffiti is offensive but when it is racially aggravated, it is particularly offensive.”

Get Surrey

Man kept gun and bullets to pay off drug debt.

By
July 30, 2013
Drugs, EDL, English Defence League, Infidels, Jailed, possessing an offensive weapon
Paul Duffy (right)

Paul Duffy (right)

A MAN who looked after a gun and bullets in exchange for having a debt written-off has been jailed for five years.

Police found a Webley 8mm pistol and two rounds of ammunition when they raided Paul Duffy’s house, after a tip-off in December.

Officers also discovered a prohibited CS gas spray and a small amount of amphetamine during the search at Warkworth Close, Washington.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told Newcastle Crown Court the gun, which had been manufactured in Italy and adapted in the UK, was tested by experts who confirmed it had “lethal potential.”

The bullets were live and capable of firing.

Duffy told detectives he was looking after the firearm and ammunition in exchange for a drug debt being wiped out.

The 47-year-old said he had been due to give the CS gas spray to a young woman who was concerned for her safety due to the number of rapes in the Washington area, and wanted to carry it for protection.

Duffy admitted possessing a prohibited firearm, live rounds of ammunition, a prohibited weapon and a small amount of amphetamine.

Judge Brian Forster told him: “Anyone who has in their possession a prohibited firearm commits a very serious offence.

“Parliament has decided that judges must impose a minimum sentence of five years imprisonment in such cases and the reason is clear.

“There must be a deterrent sentence to ensure that people do not take such weapons into their possession.

“Weapons such as this are usually carried in offences of robbery.

“While they are carried there is a real risk of death or serious injury to those who may be the victims of such crime.”

Lee Fish, defending, said Duffy is in poor health and uses a walking stick due to back and leg problems.

Mr Fish said: “He was holding the gun for someone else. He has no previous convictions which involve weapons or firearms.”

Sunderland Echo

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