One of the candidates standing in a council by-election next week is a convicted football hooligan, The Northern Echo has learned.
British National Party member Paul Thompson was convicted and jailed for six months for violent disorder between two sets of thugs. He also has a previous conviction for criminal damage after hurling stones through the shop window of a left-wing book store.
Mr Thompson is one of four candidates who is standing for the Darlington Borough Council by-election in the Cockerton West ward. The by-election was triggered by the resignation of Jenny Chapman, following her selection at the town’s new MP.
Mr Thompson stood in the 2003 and 2007 council elections, both times in Darlington’s Northgate ward. In 2003 he was last with 151 votes and again in 2007 with 126 votes. A Darlington Borough Council spokeswoman confirmed that Mr Thompson was allowed to stand.
People are barred from standing as a candidate in council elections if they have been sentenced to more than three months imprisonment within the previous five years. Mr Thompson was jailed for violent disorder in 1998. He was one of nine men involved in trouble between Darlington and Cardiff City supporters in May 1997.
His earlier conviction happened in 1994, when he was given a 12-month conditional discharge.
Ken Booth, regional organiser for British National Party, said the charges were irrelevant and Mr Thompson was entitled to stand for public office. He added: “It is a long time ago. You get over it and move on. He is not breaking any law by standing, but obviously someone wants to drag up the past. Is this a topical issue? I don’t think so. Everyone deserves a second chance.”
Mr Thompson has also previously been criticised by the family of a man murdered in a street attack in 2001 after he produced leaflets attacking the three-year sentence given to his killer. People intervened when he handed out the leaflets because they were of a racist nature.
Mr Booth called the accusations “fictitious and bogus”.
Also standing in the by-election are Jan Cossins, for the Labour Party, David Davies, for the Conservatives, and Brian Jefferson, for the Liberal Democrats.
Mrs Cossins is chairman of Cockerton East Community Partnership and a governor at Branksome School. Mr Davies is a former UKIP candidate and husband of Conservative councillor Kate Davies. Mr Jefferson is chairman of Growing Older Living in Darlington.
The election takes place on Thursday. Labour will maintain its overall control of the council whatever the result of the election. It now has 28 councillors, the Conservative party 18 and Liberal Democrats six.
Northern Echo
Showing posts with label BNP are cowards. Show all posts
Showing posts with label BNP are cowards. Show all posts
July 02, 2010
July 08, 2009
Family's fear of Huyton race hate gun thug
A family told of their shock and fear after a neighbour racially abused them before pointing a gun at their father.
The Adedoyin family watched in horror as Ian Maitland, 44, “erupted like a raging bull” before waving the gun and unleashing a torrent of racist abuse. They had never spoken to the cabbie across the street before he screamed at the children aged five, 10 and 15-year-old twins and told Jeff Adedoyin to “get home to Africa”.
He boasted about being a BNP member before declaring he “would kill them all”. Maitland was jailed for nine months yesterday after telling Liverpool crown court the children awoke him by playing outside around 9pm.
The court heard IT consultant Mr Adedoyin went to see Maitland at his home in St Christopher’s Drive, Huyton, after hearing a volley of abusive shouting and finding his children in tears. The 37-year-old, who is originally from Nigeria, stood outside the house as his terrified mother-in-law dialled 999 and Maitland appeared with the gun and a baton.
He screamed and waved the gun towards them. Maitland’s wife Julie appeared and spat at Mr Adedoyin’s mother-in-law, Julie Durkin.
The 52-year-old told the ECHO: “I just felt this shock and disbelief that this was happening. He was like a raging bull. You wouldn’t think it could happen. I’ve never heard language like it. The whole thing has been horrendous. It’s had an affect on all of us.”
Restaurant worker Lindsey Adedoyin, 33, said she had struggled to sleep and was unable to work for months after her children and partner were threatened. She said: “I keep having panic attacks and it took me almost a year to get back to work. I kept thinking I saw him in the street – even though he moved away – and I worried about the children playing outside. I had nightmares about it for ages. I still feel shaken.”
She said she noticed a change in her children, particularly her son, now 11. “He always used to be really outgoing but now he holds everything in. I’ve seen a difference in him; the way he is with his friends.”
Maitland admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and causing racially aggravated fear of violence during the incident on August 10 last year. Prosecutor David Watson said when police arrived he told them: “I am BNP, that’s my choice,” but later denied being a member of the right wing party in interview.
Michael Maher, defending, said Maitland was “essentially all mouth” with “no bite.” He said he had since lost his house, his Hackney taxi licence and feared being separated from his children.
Julie Maitland, who admitted common assault, received a community order with 12 months supervision and was ordered to attend a human dignity probation programme. She wept and shouted “I love you” as her husband was led away.
Mrs Durking said her family were upset by the sentences. She said: “We can’t help thinking if this had been an 18-year-old lad waving a gun and shouting racial abuse he would have gone away for a lot longer.”
Victims of racial abuse can call the Knowsley Ethnic Minority Support Group on 07890 948 912.
Liverpool Echo
The Adedoyin family watched in horror as Ian Maitland, 44, “erupted like a raging bull” before waving the gun and unleashing a torrent of racist abuse. They had never spoken to the cabbie across the street before he screamed at the children aged five, 10 and 15-year-old twins and told Jeff Adedoyin to “get home to Africa”.
He boasted about being a BNP member before declaring he “would kill them all”. Maitland was jailed for nine months yesterday after telling Liverpool crown court the children awoke him by playing outside around 9pm.
The court heard IT consultant Mr Adedoyin went to see Maitland at his home in St Christopher’s Drive, Huyton, after hearing a volley of abusive shouting and finding his children in tears. The 37-year-old, who is originally from Nigeria, stood outside the house as his terrified mother-in-law dialled 999 and Maitland appeared with the gun and a baton.
He screamed and waved the gun towards them. Maitland’s wife Julie appeared and spat at Mr Adedoyin’s mother-in-law, Julie Durkin.
The 52-year-old told the ECHO: “I just felt this shock and disbelief that this was happening. He was like a raging bull. You wouldn’t think it could happen. I’ve never heard language like it. The whole thing has been horrendous. It’s had an affect on all of us.”
Restaurant worker Lindsey Adedoyin, 33, said she had struggled to sleep and was unable to work for months after her children and partner were threatened. She said: “I keep having panic attacks and it took me almost a year to get back to work. I kept thinking I saw him in the street – even though he moved away – and I worried about the children playing outside. I had nightmares about it for ages. I still feel shaken.”
She said she noticed a change in her children, particularly her son, now 11. “He always used to be really outgoing but now he holds everything in. I’ve seen a difference in him; the way he is with his friends.”
Maitland admitted possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear and causing racially aggravated fear of violence during the incident on August 10 last year. Prosecutor David Watson said when police arrived he told them: “I am BNP, that’s my choice,” but later denied being a member of the right wing party in interview.
Michael Maher, defending, said Maitland was “essentially all mouth” with “no bite.” He said he had since lost his house, his Hackney taxi licence and feared being separated from his children.
Julie Maitland, who admitted common assault, received a community order with 12 months supervision and was ordered to attend a human dignity probation programme. She wept and shouted “I love you” as her husband was led away.
Mrs Durking said her family were upset by the sentences. She said: “We can’t help thinking if this had been an 18-year-old lad waving a gun and shouting racial abuse he would have gone away for a lot longer.”
Victims of racial abuse can call the Knowsley Ethnic Minority Support Group on 07890 948 912.
Liverpool Echo
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Wirral BNP supporter admits threatening female shopworkers during far-right march
A BNP sympathiser has admitted threatening staff at a bookshop during a far-right march. Liam Pinkham, 21, was taking part in a BNP march through Liverpool city centre when he burst into the News from Nowhere community bookshop on Bold Street.
Liverpool crown court was told the skinhead was dressed in stereotypical far-right clothing, including a bomber jacket and jack boots and was abusive to the two women workers inside. They claimed he threatened to “burn down the shop”.
Pinkham yesterday admitted intentionally causing harassment, although his barrister Philip Astbury insisted he had only threatened to “shut down the shop”.
Pinkham, of Leeswood Road, Woodchurch, Wirral, had originally been charged with criminal damage and racially aggravated intentional harassment, but he pleaded to the lesser charge on the day his trial was due to start.
Geoffrey Greenwood, prosecuting, told the court Pinkham’s victims were extremely frightened of giving evidence and his pleas were acceptable.
Mr Astbury said Pinkham had now moved away from supporting the party. He said: “This was a fairly radical establishment which was obviously anti the organisation with which the defendant sympathised with.” He added: “He has tried to take himself away from that sphere of interest.”
The court heard Pinkham had been subject to a community order at the time of the incident on November 29 last year. Judge Bryn Holloway said: “On any view this was an extremely unpleasant incident.”
He adjourned sentencing until July 31.
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool crown court was told the skinhead was dressed in stereotypical far-right clothing, including a bomber jacket and jack boots and was abusive to the two women workers inside. They claimed he threatened to “burn down the shop”.
Pinkham yesterday admitted intentionally causing harassment, although his barrister Philip Astbury insisted he had only threatened to “shut down the shop”.
Pinkham, of Leeswood Road, Woodchurch, Wirral, had originally been charged with criminal damage and racially aggravated intentional harassment, but he pleaded to the lesser charge on the day his trial was due to start.
Geoffrey Greenwood, prosecuting, told the court Pinkham’s victims were extremely frightened of giving evidence and his pleas were acceptable.
Mr Astbury said Pinkham had now moved away from supporting the party. He said: “This was a fairly radical establishment which was obviously anti the organisation with which the defendant sympathised with.” He added: “He has tried to take himself away from that sphere of interest.”
The court heard Pinkham had been subject to a community order at the time of the incident on November 29 last year. Judge Bryn Holloway said: “On any view this was an extremely unpleasant incident.”
He adjourned sentencing until July 31.
Liverpool Echo
Labels:
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BNP Leader: Don't Say You're With Us
British National Party members have been accused of being ashamed of themselves after their leader told them to hide their support for the controversial group.
In an email to members and supporters, party chairman Nick Griffin told them to "try and avoid" owning up to being BNP supporters when writing to complain about the treatment of two activists.
An emailed newsletter, entitled "Adam Walker needs our help" seeks donations and calls for letters of complaint in support of teachers Adam and Mark Walker who have stood as BNP candidates in elections.
Adam Walker, described by the BNP as a 'super activist', is accused of religious intolerance by the General Teaching Council (GTC) and could be struck off the teaching register if found guilty. He left Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland in 2007 after it was alleged he used a school laptop to contribute racist and religiously intolerant views to online discussions during lessons.
His brother Mark, lost an appeal against his sacking from Sunnydale College, Shildon, County Durham after being accused of accessing the BNP's website during school hours.
Mr Griffin, who was elected as MEP for the North West region in June, calls on BNP supporters to email or telephone the GTC to protest about fascist harrasment", but without admitting their political affiliation.
"We need all our supporters to contact the General Teaching Council and protest in the most determined way," he says. "When complaining, please be articulate, polite and sensible and try and avoid stating that you are a BNP supporter."
Former Education Secretary David Blunkett said Mr Griffin's comments show that BNP members are ashamed of themselves. "It's not surprising that decent people are ashamed of the BNP when the BNP have demonstrated very clearly by this that they are ashamed of themselves," he said.
Sky News
In an email to members and supporters, party chairman Nick Griffin told them to "try and avoid" owning up to being BNP supporters when writing to complain about the treatment of two activists.
An emailed newsletter, entitled "Adam Walker needs our help" seeks donations and calls for letters of complaint in support of teachers Adam and Mark Walker who have stood as BNP candidates in elections.
Adam Walker, described by the BNP as a 'super activist', is accused of religious intolerance by the General Teaching Council (GTC) and could be struck off the teaching register if found guilty. He left Houghton Kepier Sports College in Houghton-le-Spring, near Sunderland in 2007 after it was alleged he used a school laptop to contribute racist and religiously intolerant views to online discussions during lessons.
His brother Mark, lost an appeal against his sacking from Sunnydale College, Shildon, County Durham after being accused of accessing the BNP's website during school hours.
Mr Griffin, who was elected as MEP for the North West region in June, calls on BNP supporters to email or telephone the GTC to protest about fascist harrasment", but without admitting their political affiliation.
"We need all our supporters to contact the General Teaching Council and protest in the most determined way," he says. "When complaining, please be articulate, polite and sensible and try and avoid stating that you are a BNP supporter."
Former Education Secretary David Blunkett said Mr Griffin's comments show that BNP members are ashamed of themselves. "It's not surprising that decent people are ashamed of the BNP when the BNP have demonstrated very clearly by this that they are ashamed of themselves," he said.
Sky News
Labels:
Adam Walker,
BNP,
BNP are cowards,
fascism,
Nick Griffin
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