BPP man guilty of racial abuse

A self-confessed racist distributed offensive posters - including one of a burning cross - in an area where many Asians live

John Steven Stead, 32, was spotted putting the stickers on lampposts in the Murray Street area of Hartlepool, a court heard. The posters, from the British People's Party, carried messages such as "Rights For Whites" and "Immigration - Open Your Eyes". Another had images from the war and said: "They did not die for a multi-racial Britain." One sticker depicted a burning cross.

Town man Stead stood trial at Hartlepool Magistrates Court yesterday after pleading not guilty to racially aggravated behaviour and a public order offence. But he admitted he was a racist and said he had concerns about "multi-culturalism" in Britain.

The court heard that on the evening of December 1 last year, Javeed Rasul had been in Murray Street and spotted Stead putting the stickers on lampposts and called the police.

Mr Rasul told the court: "It was disturbing. It's the 21st Century now and I didn't think we would have that in Hartlepool. I could not sleep that night thinking about it. It's hatred. My two uncles died in the war fighting for England."

Stead, who was wearing camouflaged clothes on the night in question, was later arrested and in police interview said causing distress was the last thing on his mind.

Lynne Roberts-Plowman, prosecuting, said: "Mr Stead said he had put the stickers up with the sole purpose of giving other British people a voice." Ms Roberts-Plowman said he then told police: "I don't hate anyone, but if you mean by am I a racist am I concerned about the British people then yes, I plead guilty to that."

Donald MacFaul, defending, argued the posters were neither threatening, abusive or insulting, and said they had not caused harassment, alarm or distress.

He said: "The posters expressed a point of view. One may not agree, one may even find it offensive, I suggest that is not enough." He added there was no evidence of hostility and said it was a case of: "I disapprove of what you say, but I defend your right to say it."

District Judge Stephen Earl said people from many countries joined the allied war efforts during the two world wars - including Gurkhas, black South Africans and Indians. Judge Earl told Stead: "They all came to France to fight, didn't they."

He said that over the centuries the British people had been made up out of numerous nationalities. He added it was clear Stead knew he had placed the stickers in an area that would cause alarm or distress.

Stead, unemployed, of Bruntoft Avenue, Hartlepool, who had no previous convictions, was found guilty of racially aggravated behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and a lesser public order offence. He was sentenced to 60 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £250 prosecution costs.

Hartlepool Mail