Man found guilty of sending BNP leaflets and abusive letters to Llandudno man

A man accused of sending BNP leaflets and abusive letters to a mixed race van driver has been warned he could be jailed.

Paul Gordon Frossell, 40, denied racially aggravated harassment after admitting he sent two letters and British National Party (BNP) material to the man and his Polish girlfriend. After a two-day trial a jury at Caernarfon Crown Court unanimously found him guilty.

Adjourning sentence Judge Rhys Rowlands said: “You have been convicted on what is a serious offence. The BNP is regarded by many people as having offensive views. You put their literature under the door with a deeply offensive letter. This can’t and won’t be tolerated.”

The judge warned Frossell, of Mostyn Avenue, Llandudno, the fact he was being bailed for pre-sentence reports meant nothing as to the eventual sentence.

“All options remain open,” he said.

Giving evidence Frossell said the letter stemmed from a parking dispute he had with Robert Islam, a man of mixed British and Indian parentage. Frossell, who sells mobility scooters, said he had received dozens of parking tickets because he had nowhere to park his van. He claimed Mr Islam did not have permission to park near the Clarence Hotel whereas he had an arrangement with the owner .

Frossell admitted he had pretended to be the owner of the hotel, which was closed, hoping it would have more impact.

“I thought he would take it more seriously,” he said.

Cross examined by prosecutor Matthew Dunford he admitted: “it had been a stupid thing to do”.

Mr Islam told the jury about an envelope containing a letter and a leaflet about the BNP. The letter was addressed to the owner of a Ford Transit van and it said: “We believe you are of Asian descent and may not understand English.”

The self-employed courier, said he had been “extremely annoyed” to receive the letter and had reported the matter to police who launched an investigation. But two months later, on November 10, another envelope was delivered. This contained 15-20 pages from an “activists pack” for the BNP party. This letter was opened by Mr Islam’s Polish partner Malgorzata Ambicka. Speaking through an interpreter, Ms Ambicka told the jury: “I was scared. I felt threatened, as if someone had control over me.”

Frossell was bailed until next month.

Daily Post