Thomas Allan has strong links to the Hendon area of Sunderland

Police have issued an appeal to locate a wanted criminal who is wanted on prison recall.

Thomas Allan, 38, is understood to be actively evading arrest, with extensive searches to locate him ongoing across the North East. Allan, who also goes by the name Tommy, has strong links to the Hendon area of Sunderland.

Officers from Northumbria Police have issued an appeal today (Thursday, February 22) asking for the public’s help to trace him. They have urged anyone with information to come forward.

The police force issued a reminder to the public that harbouring a wanted person is an offence and those involved could face prosecution. They also asked that Allan, or anyone who believes they have seen him, contact police as soon as possible by using the ‘Report’ tool of the Northumbria Police website or by calling 101, quoting reference 0438791.

Members of the public can also report information anonymously via independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their website.

Chronicle Live

Ryan Ferguson was detained by security staff after shouting the racist abuse

CCTV shows the moment a football player was racially abused by a supporter – who has now been jailed.

Ryan Ferguson, 24, shouted racial abuse at Forest Green Rovers winger Jordon Garrick during a match last year. Ferguson, a Tranmere Rovers fan who was subject to a five year football banning order, attended the New Lawn ground after receiving a complimentary ticket.

Around 35 minutes into the first half of the game, Forest Green Rovers were awarded a throw in by the West Stand corner of the pitch. The referee came over to speak to the players and there was a moment of silence and Ferguson moved close to the edge of the pitch and shouted racial abuse.

The CCTV video showed Ferguson shouting “fill that f****** **** in” and was quickly led away by a security guard while onlookers watched on. The abuse was heard by a number of players on the pitch who reacted – as well as by club security personnel and others in the stand.

Ferguson was detained by club security and later handed over to police officers outside of the ground. Lout Ryan, of Barberry Crescent, Netherton, appeared at Gloucester Crown Court for sentencing.

It followed a previous guilty plea to racially aggravated public order, being a football spectator failing to comply with a football banning order under the Football Spectators Act 1989 and obstructing a constable in the execution of their duty.

The offences took place during a Forest Green Rovers match against Fleetwood Town at The New Lawn in Nailsworth on the evening of Tuesday, April 18 last year. When questioned by officers, he gave them incorrect details and would not confirm his identity – it was only after arrest that he gave the correct details.

In a written victim impact statement Jordon Garrick said: “Forest Green Rovers Football Club and the Bolt New Lawn Stadium is my place of work, when I am on the pitch as a player, I am at work. I understand there will always be a crowd in the stands watching me and my teammates play.

“I am aware that fans will vocally express their enjoyment or disappointment at a football match, but I should never have to be subjected to racially offensive verbal abuse while at work.

“I find this type of abuse grossly offensive. I was shocked at the disgusting language used against me, these are words that no-one should ever hear.”

Ferguson, who has already been convicted for breaching a football banning order seven times and has past convictions for racially aggravated public order offences, was sentenced to nine months in prison.

He also received a further football banning order imposed for six years with the following conditions:

On the day of a regulated football match, not to come with 500 metres of any designated football stadium, where such a match is being held, during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded.

Not to travel to any town or city where Tranmere Rovers are playing a regulated football match during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded.

On the day of a regulated football match where Tranmere Rovers are playing not to come within one mile of the designated football stadium where they are playing during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded.

Not to travel to, enter or be present within the boundaries of any town or city where England are playing an international football match during the period starting four hours before kick-off and finishing four hours after the game has concluded.

The subject of the football banning order, who currently possesses a valid British passport, must inform, in writing, the HM Passport Office, whenever they are unable to surrender their passport as required by the enforcing authority (within the terms of the order) due to the document being unavailable (lost or stolen).

Following sentencing PC Adrian Tuft, a dedicated Football Officer at Gloucestershire Constabulary said: “Ferguson is a persistent football offender, this is not the first time that he has breached his banning order.

“On this occasion Ferguson breached his order using horrendous racial abuse which was clearly heard by the intended victim and a number of his teammates. Clearly Ferguson cannot be trusted inside a football ground or its immediate vicinity on a match day.

“We would encourage all football supporters to report any racial, homophobic or other hateful abuse to the club, to The FA, Kick It Out, or the police. As a Force we treat these reports with the utmost seriousness and will work closely with the clubs, the FA and the UK Football Policing Unit to identify any suspects and prosecute them to the full extent of the law.”

Ryan Ferguson has been jailed for nine months

Chief Constable Mark Roberts, NPCC Lead for Football Policing, said: “Racist abuse will not be tolerated in football stadiums, and I’m pleased the court has recognised the seriousness of these offences and issued a prison sentence in this case.

“We can see from Jordon Garrick’s statement the impact this abuse has had on him. No-one should ever have to experience this, not least at their place of work. Breaching a football banning order is also a serious offence, and I’m pleased to see that a further six-year order has been issued in this case.

“We collectively need to make football a safe environment for the overwhelming majority of fans want to enjoy the game, and anyone who commits a criminal offence either outside or inside a football ground can expect to face the consequences of their actions.”

A spokesperson for Forest Green Rovers added: “Forest Green Rovers FC, along with every other football club, deplore the use of racist abuse and language which has no place in our game or our society. Nobody should be subjected to the racist abuse that our player Jordon Garrick was back in April and we welcome the sentencing administered by the court.

“We sincerely hope that this sends a strong message to the individual involved in this case and those persons that share a similar view that this behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.”

Anyone who sees, reads or hears offensive, racist, or homophobic language at a football game is asked to report it to a steward or police officer. Alternatively you can report this online here.

Liverpool Echo

A Leeds man left his friend needing a wheelchair after breaking his leg in a drunken scuffle, after accusing the victim of “ruining his birthday”.

Paul Leeming, 56, was sentenced today for causing grievous bodily harm – which left the victim in “unbearable pain” and needing surgery after the assault.

On August 13, 2020, the victim invited Leeming over to his home for a drink after finding out it was the defendant’s birthday. Leeming arrived at the property in Leeds at 7.30am, bringing with him a bottle of brandy. Cocaine was delivered to the house an hour later.

They invited another female friend over to the house and the three drank together. Prosecuting, Graham O’Sullivan said the mood was “initially good”, but at 12.30pm the defendant said he wanted to buy more cocaine and left the house to withdraw money.

When he returned three hours later, his mood appeared to have changed – he was very loud and accused the victim of “ruining his birthday”, Mr O’Sullivan said. His friends told Leeming to leave the property but they suspected he was still inside and eavesdropping outside the living room.

After around five minutes, the victim opened the living room door and Leeming barged past him into the room. Leeming started shouting at the woman and threatening her, accusing the pair of talking about him. Leeds Crown Court heard that he then punched her to the side of his head and face – although he was never charged for an attack on the woman.

The man tried to reason with Leeming and jumped on his back in an attempt to restrain him. The victim fell to the floor and badly broke his leg during the scuffle. The woman called the police and Leeming was arrested. He refused to answer questions during police interviews.

Mr O’Sullivan read out a victim impact statement from the man, who had to have surgery and was left needing a wheelchair while he learned to walk again. The victim said the pain “was unbearable and difficult to manage”. He added that after seeing his injury for the first time, he broke down in tears.

Leeming, of Seacroft Gate, Leeds, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on the day a trial was due to begin. He has 10 previous convictions for 21 offences, but none since 2008.

Mitigating for Leeming, Natalie Banks said the attack was “undoubtedly an impulsive and spontaneous assault and short lived” and that the defendant suffered from mental health issues. She added that Leeming was living in secure accommodation, where he helped out elderly residents, and had a number of pets which he cares for – fish, cats and a bearded dragon.

“He’s very anxious about what would happen to those if he went into custody,” Ms Banks added.

entencing Leeming, the judge, Recorder Jeremy Hill-Baker, said: “I’m satisfied from what I heard that you did not deliberately cause that injury, but it was caused when you shrugged him off, being reckless as to whether he was going to get injured or not.”

Leeming was sentenced to 10 months in prison, suspended for two years, and required to complete 20 days rehabilitation activity.

Yorkshire Evening Post

An Andrew Tate “admirer” has been jailed after telling his friend he wanted to walk into university one day “in full military-style get-up to shoot everyone for the lols”.

Nicholas Rees, who was arrested while lying next to a gun on his bed, had been hoarding chemicals and air rifles in his room at Oxley Hall, in Weetwood, Leeds.

The 26-year-old was found guilty of making and having an explosive substance and possession of a bladed article after a trial at Leeds Crown Court.

Rees had been completing a Master’s degree in international business at Leeds Trinity University, but he “showed a resentment to other students, females in particular”.

The court heard Rees was an admirer of controversial social media personality Andrew Tate, and he would talk about women in a “misogynistic way” if encounters with them “didn’t turn out to his satisfaction”.

Rees had ADHD, for which he was prescribed diazepam, but the court heard there was “evidence he wasn’t taking it, because he was selling it to others”.

Gerry Hendron, prosecuting, said: “He was aggrieved by others, [students], females, the doctors not medicating him, people in authority, and the police.

“On the 13th February 2023, he was arrested under suspicion of possession of a firearm – a starting pistol – and ammunition.”

The court heard Rees had also obtained chemicals which could be constituents in an explosive substance and camouflage.

Mr Hendron added: “It was apparent in the trial that the months, weeks and days before his final arrest gave rise to suspicion that they did not have a lawful purpose.”

The prosecutor told the court that the items found were “mainly to attack students on campus or the police” and that Rees was “exhibiting worrying behaviour to others”.

He added: “Reports were made to management about him from other students.

“By February 2023, he was seen to be carrying what appeared to be a firearm in the communal areas of the halls. As a result a report was made to the police.”

On 13 February last year, Rees went to his GP surgery and asked to speak to the practice manager after sending a complaint form referring to a failure to prescribe his medication, resulting in PTSD.Mr Hendron said: “The defendant told the practice manager about his medication and said he needed diazepam. He said without it, his mind went into dark places and he referred to himself going on ‘one last outing’ and ‘doing something serious.’

“She took this to mean a shooting spree or a bomb and this made her extremely anxious. He showed the practice manager searches of how to make body armour.

“He said he didn’t want to do these things, but without the diazepam he would.”The court heard that in a separate incident, in a chain of messages to his friend, Rees showed her “what he had been making” and said he was hoping to get a ballistic face mask.

Mr Hendron said: “When asked why, he said: ‘For walking into uni one day in full military-style get-up to shoot everyone for the lols.'”Rees was arrested in February last year and police seized the pistol and cartridges he was carrying at the time. He was interviewed and released on bail under caution.The court heard that Rees believed a female student who he was attracted to had made the police report and he approached her “saying he had a gift for her.”

Mr Hendron said: “He gave her a noose made out of yarn and said to her in Polish: ‘Go hang yourself you stupid b***h.’

“[Internet] searches found he had been searching similar words in Polish. He began using body armour around the halls and began talking about replica guns.

“The defendant had made requests with maintenance staff at the halls to borrow their drills and told students it was for drilling out a replica gun to make it a real firearm.”

It was said that over the coming months, before his final arrest in May last year, Rees made two visits to two separate shooting clubs, where he concerned members with his behaviour.

The court heard that at the Yorkshire Shooting Club, a member observed him carrying a rifle bag which contained a “large combat knife.”

Mr Hendron said: “He said it was against the law to carry them in a bag. Rees explained they were not real and just for display.”

Rees was arrested following two “concerning” phone calls he had with a West Yorkshire Police Detective Constable on 10 May last year. The court heard he had asked about his bail and when it had come to an end.

Mr Hendron said: “He told the officer he had been in touch with local news outlets about how badly he had been treated by the police. He said if the police did anything to him again he would be acting in self-defence.”

Rees said he would give officers “three warnings to him alone or in self-defence he would use weapons.”

He also said he would give three warnings to staff members at his halls of residence if they carried out spot checks in his room, which they were allowed to do.

Mr Hendron said: “He was advised that if he didn’t want people to go into his room he should tell them and call the police and not use violence against them. He became irate and began shouting.

“The officer put the phone down on him and called him a short time later.”

During the second phone call, the court heard Rees spoke about what chemicals are legal to possess.

The officer made a referral to the counter-terrorism department and the next day officers attended Oxley Hall and detained another man before arresting Rees, who was laying on his bed next to an assault rifle.

Mr Hendron said that as Rees was taken to custody, he asked watching students: “Are you enjoying the show?”

A search of his room found various materials and chemicals including sulphur, a copper pipe, magnesium and iron oxide.

Mr Hendron said: “Evidence from a friend said that on the day of the arrest, the defendant jumped out at him dressed in camo clothing. He told him that he wanted to harm the police.

“Another witness – a flatmate – said he heard the defendant talking about making bombs.”

The court heard that Rees had a previous conviction from when he was a youth for possession of a bladed article and common assault.

It was said that psychiatric evidence concluded that he has a mixed personality disorder, ADHD and “mental and behavioural disorders due to multiple drug misuse.”He had also spent time in the care system as a teenager.Ryan Donoghue, mitigating, said Rees maintains he had a lawful purpose for the materials.

Mr Donoghue told the judge: “It will be apparent to you that he is an individual with a very complex mental health history. He was biologically predisposed – his mum having been diagnosed with very similar conditions. He wasn’t given support or help until more recently.

“He was bullied for a long period of time and spent time in the care system, with his mental health diagnosis of ADHD causing difficulties during school.”

Mr Donoghue said Rees had lost both his stepdad and friend, which had a significant effect on him. He added that he is no longer using illicit substances but was “still having thoughts of self-harm around the time of the events that led to his conviction.”

Mr Donoghue said: “He is relatively still a young man with most of his life ahead of him. While he maintains his innocence to the charges he faces he is not someone completely devoid of insight into his conduct. His ideas are ultimately a fantasy.”His Honour Judge Khan KC jailed Rees for six years and told him: “What you did was acquire explosive substances and other chemicals with a view to cause harm to others.”

ITV News

Ryan Ferguson shouted at Forest Green Rovers’ Jordan Garrick as the forward tussled with a Fleetwood Town opponent

Ryan Ferguson has been jailed for nine months

A football thug has been jailed after shouting vile racist abuse at a rival player.

Ryan Ferguson cried “fill that f****** **** in” as Forest Green Rovers’ forward Jordan Garrick tussled with a Fleetwood Town opponent during a League One match in April last year. The 24-year-old with “immature and outdated” was heard by other Forest Green players and stewards at the New Lawn.

A court heard how he was quickly apprehended by security and, when he was arrested by the police, gave officers false details. The Tranmere Rovers supporter only admitted his real identity after he was arrested.

A check of the police national computer revealed Ferguson was subject of a five-year football banning order imposed in 2019 for pitch invasion and was prohibited from attending any matches at the time of the incident, the ECHO reports. A prosecutor previously told the courts that Garrick was left shaken at being on the receiving end of the abuse.

Ferguson’s defence argued that he had “grown up in an environment where he got into football at a very young age”. He said: “He has been involved with this particular group of Tranmere Rovers fans who hold some quite anti-social views.

“People just don’t become racist, and it seems he has learnt over time while growing up. For some reason he thinks this is normal and acceptable behaviour. It’s not.”

Due to the severity of the incident, the case could not be dealt with at the magistrates’ court – and Ferguson was sent to Gloucestershire Crown Court. Ferguson, of Barberry Crescent, Netherton, was yesterday (February 8) jailed for nine months.

Douglas Mackay, the Crown Prosecution Service Sports National lead prosecutor, said: “Ferguson’s actions were vile and something that none of us should ever experience at a football match – whether that be fans, staff, police or indeed the players themselves.

“The sentence that has been passed today should serve as a wake-up call to any fans who think it might be acceptable to break the law during matches.”

The Black Footballers Partnership (BFP), the organisation set up to be a strategic voice and support for black footballers, said the sentence shows the game needs to do better to support black players. Delroy Corinaldi, BFP executive director, said: “Black excellence on the pitch has driven up participation numbers and lessened the amount of overtly racist chanting on the terraces, so that events like those discussed today stand out more.

“However, while black excellence on the pitch pushes the overt racists to the margins, the ignorance it personifies can only be excised when black footballers become visible as black managers, coaches, board members and owners. It ends when the clubs and their representative bodies properly tackle the institutional barriers to black success off the pitch.”

Lancashire Live

Kieran Turner hailed the terrorist killer as a ‘hero’

An Army veteran who encouraged terrorism by glorifying the murderer of MP Jo Cox has been jailed for two years and eight months.

Kieran Turner, 37, of Earby, Lancashire, published a statement in January 2019 calling for “650 Thomas Mair’s” (sic) and hailing the terrorist killer as a “hero”.

He also reposted still images of the March 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand and attempted to share live-streamed video footage taken by the perpetrator.

Joe Allman, prosecuting, told Manchester Crown Court the case arose out of the defendant’s activities on the Gab online platform where he described himself as “British Army veteran English Nationalist”.

Turner had an “impressionable audience” of 773 followers on his publicly accessible account and he in turn followed 213 users, the court was told.

His criminality was uncovered when officers examined a Samsung tablet discovered under his bed when he was arrested at his home in Earlesdown Avenue in November 2021, said Mr Allman.

The prosecutor said Turner used the platform to share and re-share material which expressed “virulent” misogynistic, homophobic and transphobic views, as well as displaying extreme racism, Islamophobia and “deep hostility” towards Jewish people.

Mr Allman said the comment about the Batley and Spen MP’s murder in June 2016 was made in reply to a post from another platform user and included a reference to the number of members of Parliament and the hashtag “ThomasMairHero”.

Turner had also reposted a link to the Christchurch mass murderer’s “manifesto”. Commenting on the video footage the defendant wrote: “Cheers. Just the thing to put a smile on my face before heading to work this morning.”

In another post, he said: “It should be on repeat on ITV every couple of hours instead of Jeremy Kyle.”

Mr Allman said the Crown did not accept Turner’s explanation that his postings were intended to be humorous.

Turner pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to one count of encouraging terrorism, two counts of disseminating terrorist publications and seven counts of stirring up racial hatred between January 2019 and September 2020.

On Thursday, Turner received an extended sentence and must serve two years and eight months in custody followed by a period of 12 months on extended licence.

Judge Alan Conrad KC told him: “I find you were at least reckless as to whether other people would act on your opinions. The danger in these cases is that there is a risk that one person could act on these posts with terrible consequences.”

He noted that Turner, who had no previous convictions, was more prone to radicalisation because of his diagnosed autism spectrum disorder.

Sarah Day, defending, said Turner had features of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) following his time in the armed forces and had also suffered from depression.

She said: “He very much now recognises what he has done and is genuinely ashamed and remorseful for it.

“It is quite clear that he has taken steps to move himself away from that behaviour and that mindset.”

The Independent

Lab technician Charles Cannon had ‘terrorist motivations’, a court heard.

A laboratory technician with “terrorist motivations” who collected documents on how to make homemade explosives and weapons has avoided a prison sentence.

Charles Cannon was convicted of seven charges of possessing terrorist information dating back to when he was 16 and 17 years old.

Ben Isaacs, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court that the 22-year-old, of Aldershot, Hampshire, had a “dangerous mindset”.

He told the court that Cannon had sent a message saying “I am not a virgin but I am a terrorist”.

He added: “He mocked up a Nazi party membership card and put his name on it.

“He repeated on many occasions antisemitic tropes, he said he would kill when speaking about people of colour, he spoke enthusiastically of the stabbing of asylum seekers.

“This is not a case of mimicking. Mr Cannon did have terrorist motivations and the suggestion this was balanced out by pro-LGBTQ views simply doesn’t stand up to scrutiny.”

Sentencing Cannon to 18 months in prison suspended for two years, Judge Jane Miller KC told the defendant: “It’s clear that you held, and likely still do harbour, extremist and hateful views.”

But she said that she had taken in consideration his age when the offences were committed and his mental health and lack of previous convictions when deciding to suspend the prison sentence.

Mr Isaacs told the trial that Cannon, who has autism, was stopped at Luton airport under terrorism regulations in August 2020 and a search of his phone found the guide on making explosives.

He said that further searches of his devices and his computer at his home uncovered the other documents as well as racist, antisemitic and misogynistic messages on social media.

The documents found on his computer included guides on homemade explosives, “unconventional warfare devices and techniques”, and “booby traps”.

Giving evidence, Cannon said that he had downloaded the files as part of a cache of documents on a file-sharing website which were part of a collection created in the name of Uncle Fester – the pseudonym of Steve Preisler who produced books on the manufacture of methamphetamine in the 1980s and was jailed for possession of the illegal drug.

He said he had wanted to research the production of the drug as part of his fixation on the show Breaking Bad which tells the story of a teacher who starts making the drug to fund his cancer treatment.

Cannon admitted that he had previously held “vile and disgusting” views but his politics had changed under the influence of his Brazilian wife whom he married a year ago.

The former Catholic school pupil, who went on to work for Procter & Gamble after leaving school, said: “I used to believe in some very vile and disgusting things but she has changed me for the better.”

Evening Standard

A Cardiff man has been jailed for more than four years for terrorism offences after sharing extreme right-wing propaganda videos.

Kristen Persen, 22, from Fairwater in Cardiff, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday January 18, where he was handed a four years and eight months sentence, he was ordered to serve a minimum of two thirds of the sentence.

Persen had previously appeared at court last month where he pleaded guilty to 10 charges; six counts of Section 2 of the Terrorism Act 2006 (sharing terrorism material) and four counts under Section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000 (collecting terrorism information).

He was arrested at an address in Cardiff on 30 November 2022 following a joint investigation between the West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit (WM CTU) and Counter Terrorism Policing Wales (CTP Wales).

On his laptop, detectives found instructional books and manuals for the manufacture of firearms, explosives and detonators as well as white supremacist propaganda. Material was also found glorifying proscribed extreme right-wing banned organisations relating to Nazism, racism, anti-Semitism ideology.

Also found at his address was a large amount of clothing, flags and stickers illustrating and supporting right wing views.

Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Anastasia Miller, from CTP WM CTU said:

“We work tirelessly to secure convictions of individuals such as Persen who pose a significant threat to communities across the country.

“Extremists use this kind of ideology to create discord, distrust and fear among our communities and we strive to counter this. As a result of these investigations, we have seen a significant increase of right-wing referrals to our Prevent programme.

“Our proactive efforts to confront the threat posed by extreme right-wing terrorism continues.”

Detective Chief Inspector Andrew Williams, Head of Investigations at Counter Terrorism Policing Wales stated:

“We welcome the outcome of the court process, which is the result of a lengthy and extremely detailed joint investigation between Counter Terrorism officers in both Wales and the West Midlands.

“It clearly demonstrates the benefits and strengths of a collective approach to what are often very complex cases to investigate. The safety and the security of the public is at the heart of everything we do, and our officers and staff rightly go to great lengths to meet that objective. The outcome of the court case helps us ensure that continues to be the case.”

Every year thousands of reports from the public help police tackle the terrorist threat. If you see or hear something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and ACT by reporting to police in confidence at gov.uk/ACT.

Reporting won’t ruin lives, but it could save them. Action Counters Terrorism. Remember, in an emergency, always dial 999.

South Wales Police

Jurors found Melia guilty after just a day of deliberations

A far-right organiser who had posters of Oswald Mosley and Adolf Hitler up inside his house has been found guilty of publishing material designed to stir up racial hatred.

Jurors returned guilty verdicts for that charge, and one of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an either-way offence on Wednesday, January 24.

Melia, 34, has been standing trial at Leeds Crown Court and last week jurors heard how he was arrested in April 2021 and his home searched, where officers discovered the images as well as a Nazi emblem, depicting an eagle with outstretched wings over a swastika.

Prosecutor Tom Storey KC told the court in his opening that Melia – a member of Patriotic Alternative – had set up a Telegram channel named Hundred Handers.

A far-right organiser who had posters of Oswald Mosley and Adolf Hitler up inside his house has been found guilty of publishing material designed to stir up racial hatred.

Jurors returned guilty verdicts for that charge, and one of intentionally encouraging or assisting the commission of an either-way offence on Wednesday, January 24.

Melia, 34, has been standing trial at Leeds Crown Court and last week jurors heard how he was arrested in April 2021 and his home searched, where officers discovered the images as well as a Nazi emblem, depicting an eagle with outstretched wings over a swastika.

Prosecutor Tom Storey KC told the court in his opening that Melia – a member of Patriotic Alternative – had set up a Telegram channel named Hundred Handers.

Mr Storey said: “Also found within the defendant’s Telegram posts and chat were messages which make clear that he expected that Hundred Handers stickers would be displayed in public places, and also that he had placed stickers in such places himself.

“He noted that there was to be a BLM (Black Lives Matter) protest in his town, and that he was going to ‘plaster the surrounding area the night before’.”

Jurors heard during the trial that Melia was stopped at Manchester Airport in possession with the stickers but he claimed to have downloaded them from the internet. Mr Storey said that an account under the name Sam M wrote: “Marx explained everything to me. Wasn’t stupid enough to link me or myself…Shouldn’t have handed my phone in or told them anything at all. This account is secure as is tied to a burner phone, really just my holiday snaps they got so just easily rattled.”

Mr Storey said: “This is him passing comment about his earlier stop at the airport, making reference to having a second phone.”

In his evidence, Melia told jurors the stickers were designed to “start a conversation.” Giving evidence on Friday last week, Melia said he had not intended to incite racial hatred with the stickers, adding: “The idea was always conversations about topics. They are topics like the grooming gangs or rape gangs that have been prevalent across this country. The idea of the messages is to start a conversation, not to make someone feel intimidated.”

He said the stickers were intended to be put on street furniture such as lamp posts, benches, bus stops and “places people are waiting”. “You go round Leeds and there’s stickers on everything. There must be a reason people are putting them out there,” Melia told jurors.

Asked by his barrister, Richard Canning, whether he intended for the stickers to be seen, the defendant said: “Oh god yes, it’s not just for my own pleasure. What use would a sticker be sat in your bedroom drawers? I intended for them to be public.”

Melia told jurors he described himself as “pro-British or a white advocate”, and was intending to stand as a candidate for a local council for a second time. He denied hating people of different races, saying: “Everyone deserves their own homeland and I wish them well in that homeland.” Jurors were sent out to consider the verdicts at 3.25pm on Thursday after barristers gave their closing speeches.

After the verdicts were delivered on Wednesday, Melia was told he would be sentenced on March 1 by His Honour Judge Tom Bayliss KC. The judge also warned Melia against posting on the internet prior to his sentencing.

He said: “You know perfectly well what happened when members of the public wrote in about your tweeting or Telegraph or whatever it was you were doing. You wrote about the trial…You really must keep quiet about this – tempting though it may be for you. If you must make your views public on this or any other aspect of it, it wouldn’t go well for you.”

Melia was bailed until his sentencing hearing.

Following the verdicts, Nick Price of the Crown Prosecution Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division said: “Melia was perfectly aware that the stickers he published on his Telegram channel were being downloaded and then stuck up in public places around the country.

“He also knew full well the impact these racially inflammatory stickers were having, and by attempting to remain anonymous, sought to protect himself and others from investigation. He was very deliberate in the manner he wanted to spread his messages of racial hatred, and online messages recovered made it clear that he knew these stickers were being displayed in public and causing damage to public property.

“It is illegal to publish such material intending to stir up racial hatred towards others, and the CPS will not hesitate to bring prosecutions against those who break the law in this way.”

Leeds Live

Police van set on fire at clash last year outside Knowsley hotel housing 163 men awaiting asylum decisions

Four men have been found guilty of violent disorder at a protest outside a hotel providing temporary accommodation to asylum seekers.

A jury at Liverpool crown court watched footage showing crowds chanting “get them out” and throwing fireworks at a police cordon.

Three police officers were injured and a police van was set on fire during the demonstration outside Suites hotel in Knowsley, Merseyside, on 10 February last year.

At the time, 163 men were staying in the hotel while they awaited decisions on their asylum cases, the court heard.

The protest was said to have been organised by the English Defence League, although there was no evidence that the four men were members of a far-right group.

Brian McPadden, 61, Thomas Mills, 47, Paul Lafferty, 42, and Jonjo O’Donoghue, 21, all admitted being present on the night but denied violent disorder. A jury found them guilty on Monday after deliberating for more than six hours.

One member of the public left the court saying “you fucking bastards” after the first guilty verdict was returned.

Mills, who suffered two epileptic seizures during the trial, began to sob after the verdicts were returned and then fell from his seat.

The court was adjourned as medical assistance was given and an ambulance was called.

During the trial, the court heard that police were made aware on 9 February last year that a protest was expected to take place outside the hotel.

There was “ill feeling” locally after a video was shared on social media appearing to show an asylum seeker from the hotel asking a 15-year-old girl for her phone number and a kiss, the court heard.

The jury was told social media posts were made about the planned demonstration and leaflets were delivered.

On the Friday evening, members of a rightwing group and a leftwing group gathered outside the hotel.

DC David Williams told the court that at about 7pm a large group of people arrived at the hotel. He said: “At that time, it seemed that tensions changed somewhat.”

Footage showed crowds chanting “get them out” and throwing fireworks at a cordon of police officers while a police van burned.

Rocks and paving slabs were also thrown, with one police officer needing hospital treatment and another two suffering less serious injuries.

Mills could be seen in footage standing on top of the van before it was set alight holding a banner which read: “Let’s shout, get them out.”

McPadden was heard in the footage saying: “We protect our own, yous are not from Kirkby, we are. These are twats, the lot of them.”

Five other men pleaded guilty to violent disorder at earlier hearings and have not yet been sentenced.

Seven youths, aged between 13 and 17, have been sentenced after they admitted violent disorder. Six were given referral orders and one was fined.

Jared Skeete, 19, was sentenced to three years’ detention last April after he pleaded guilty to violent disorder, having thrown fireworks and snorted ketamine while shouting abuse at police.

Three women – Cheryl Nicholls, 44, Nicola Elliott, 52, and Jennifer Knox, 41 – were found not guilty of violent disorder halfway through the trial after the judge told the jury there was “insufficient evidence”.

A fifth defendant, Daniel Fulham, 39, was found on Monday to be not guilty of violent disorder and of a lesser offence of abusive or threatening behaviour with intent to provoke violence.

The Guardian