Two men who carried out a graffiti attack on a Teesside mosque have each been sentenced a year in prison.
Anthony Smith, 24, and Steven Vasey, 32, of County Durham, had previously admitted conspiracy to commit racially-aggravated criminal damage.
Charlotte Davies, 19, of Buckinghamshire, who also pleaded guilty to the same charge, was given a 12-week suspended sentence.
They attacked the Nasir Mosque, Hartlepool, in November last year.
Smith, of Neptune Way, Easington Colliery, and Vasey, of Prior's Grange, High Pittington, pleaded guilty during a hearing at Durham Crown Court in August.
Davies, of Irving Path, Aylesbury, admitted the charge earlier.
BBC News
Showing posts with label Jailed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Jailed. Show all posts
October 03, 2011
September 13, 2011
Hungry for justice - EDL leader released
THE leader of the English Defence League, Stephen Lennon, has been released from Bedford Prison on bail until his trial for assault at the end of this month.
Mr Lennon, who calls himself Tommy Robinson, was held in custody at Bedford Prison for a week after breaking bail conditions by attending a demonstration in London.
The EDL said their leader was on hunger strike while in prison, because he was a ‘political prisoner’ and because he believed the food served was halal.
While at Bedford Prison he is understood to have been kept in segregation both for his own safety and over concerns about disruption at the prison.
A source said: “There was a big concern because he is so high profile, so they kept him away from the other prisoners. He was classed as a vulnerable inmate.
“It is a diverse prison and they were worried what might happen. There are also a lot of people from Luton in there as it’s the nearest prison and there were concerns there might be a riot.”
The source said Mr Lennon was held in an underground cell where he was allowed a television, and that his exercise was taken in a yard boarded off so he could not be seen by other inmates.
They added: “His hunger strike only lasted 24 hours and then he gave up.”
But Mr Lennon said yesterday morning (Tuesday September 13) that he had not consumed anything other than water while in custody.
He said: “I had a Nando’s last night when I came out and I was up all night ill – I thought I was going to have to go to hospital. I lost a stone while I was in there.”
Mr Lennon denies assaulting a man at an EDL protest in Blackburn in April, and said he was looking forward to the trial at Preston Magistrates Court on September 29.
“I will go to court and I will walk out of court,” he said. “The man who I’m supposed to have assaulted has come forward and said it wasn’t me.
“I’m going to keep on breaking these bail conditions – they just want to stop my involvement with the EDL. I’m not allowed to send emails, faxes, texts. That’s against my human rights and civil liberties.
“I will say what I want, when I want.”
Luton Today
Mr Lennon, who calls himself Tommy Robinson, was held in custody at Bedford Prison for a week after breaking bail conditions by attending a demonstration in London.
The EDL said their leader was on hunger strike while in prison, because he was a ‘political prisoner’ and because he believed the food served was halal.
While at Bedford Prison he is understood to have been kept in segregation both for his own safety and over concerns about disruption at the prison.
A source said: “There was a big concern because he is so high profile, so they kept him away from the other prisoners. He was classed as a vulnerable inmate.
“It is a diverse prison and they were worried what might happen. There are also a lot of people from Luton in there as it’s the nearest prison and there were concerns there might be a riot.”
The source said Mr Lennon was held in an underground cell where he was allowed a television, and that his exercise was taken in a yard boarded off so he could not be seen by other inmates.
They added: “His hunger strike only lasted 24 hours and then he gave up.”
But Mr Lennon said yesterday morning (Tuesday September 13) that he had not consumed anything other than water while in custody.
He said: “I had a Nando’s last night when I came out and I was up all night ill – I thought I was going to have to go to hospital. I lost a stone while I was in there.”
Mr Lennon denies assaulting a man at an EDL protest in Blackburn in April, and said he was looking forward to the trial at Preston Magistrates Court on September 29.
“I will go to court and I will walk out of court,” he said. “The man who I’m supposed to have assaulted has come forward and said it wasn’t me.
“I’m going to keep on breaking these bail conditions – they just want to stop my involvement with the EDL. I’m not allowed to send emails, faxes, texts. That’s against my human rights and civil liberties.
“I will say what I want, when I want.”
Luton Today
Labels:
bailed,
EDL,
hunger strike,
Jailed,
Stephen Yaxley Lennon
EDL protester jailed for punching Cumbrian policeman at London demonstration
An English Defence League protester who punched a Cumbrian policeman during a banned demo in east London has been jailed for five months.
Darrell Copeland, 44, charged a line of police and smashed Sergeant James Lloyd, from west Cumbria, in the face as the officers struggled to control demonstrators from the far-Right group.
Sgt Lloyd was one of a group of 25 officers from the county who were sent to London to help officers in the capital police the demo, which saw more than 60 arrests.
Copeland, who had been drinking, struggled violently as he was arrested, headbutting a window, threatening to do the same to police and shouting anti-Muslim abuse, City of Westminster magistrates were told.
He was held in custody after the protest on September 3 until his court appearance, when he admitted assault. District Judge Daphne Wickham heard that Copeland, from Milton Keynes, had previously been jailed for racist abuse.
Victoria Forbes, prosecuting, said he had joined EDL demonstrators at Aldgate station as officers tried to control the crowd.
He claimed he had come to London to visit his mother, not specifically to take part in the demonstration.
The Metropolitan Police said 61 suspects were arrested with 46 bailed to return to a north London police station in November.
Seven people – including Copeland – were charged with offences including assaulting officers and public order offences.
The EDL told Scotland Yard it planned a “static demonstration” following a 30-day ban by Home Secretary Theresa May on marching in six London areas.
It was the first time since the Brixton riots 30 years ago that police have requested powers to stop marches in London.
Scuffles broke out and bottles and firecrackers were thrown by members of the EDL as riot police, mounted police and dogs turned out on the streets in large numbers to maintain control.
More than 3,000 officers were made available amid fears of violence and clashes with opposition groups including Unite Against Fascism.
Police vans from forces including Cumbria, Lancashire and Grampian could be seen on the streets.
News and Star
Darrell Copeland, 44, charged a line of police and smashed Sergeant James Lloyd, from west Cumbria, in the face as the officers struggled to control demonstrators from the far-Right group.
Sgt Lloyd was one of a group of 25 officers from the county who were sent to London to help officers in the capital police the demo, which saw more than 60 arrests.
Copeland, who had been drinking, struggled violently as he was arrested, headbutting a window, threatening to do the same to police and shouting anti-Muslim abuse, City of Westminster magistrates were told.
He was held in custody after the protest on September 3 until his court appearance, when he admitted assault. District Judge Daphne Wickham heard that Copeland, from Milton Keynes, had previously been jailed for racist abuse.
Victoria Forbes, prosecuting, said he had joined EDL demonstrators at Aldgate station as officers tried to control the crowd.
He claimed he had come to London to visit his mother, not specifically to take part in the demonstration.
The Metropolitan Police said 61 suspects were arrested with 46 bailed to return to a north London police station in November.
Seven people – including Copeland – were charged with offences including assaulting officers and public order offences.
The EDL told Scotland Yard it planned a “static demonstration” following a 30-day ban by Home Secretary Theresa May on marching in six London areas.
It was the first time since the Brixton riots 30 years ago that police have requested powers to stop marches in London.
Scuffles broke out and bottles and firecrackers were thrown by members of the EDL as riot police, mounted police and dogs turned out on the streets in large numbers to maintain control.
More than 3,000 officers were made available amid fears of violence and clashes with opposition groups including Unite Against Fascism.
Police vans from forces including Cumbria, Lancashire and Grampian could be seen on the streets.
News and Star
Labels:
Darrell Copeland,
EDL,
Far Right Violence,
Jailed,
Tower Hamlets
September 06, 2011
Five months for protester who hit policeman at far-Right demo
An English Defence League protester who punched a policeman during last weekend's banned demo in east London has been jailed for five months.
Darrell Copeland, 44, charged a line of police and smashed Sergeant James Lloyd in the face as the officers struggled to control demonstrators from the far-Right group.
Copeland, who had been drinking, struggled violently as he was arrested, headbutting a window, threatening to do the same to police and shouting anti-Muslim abuse, City of Westminster magistrates' court was told.
He was held in custody after Saturday's protest until his court appearance, when he admitted assault. District Judge Daphne Wickham heard that Copeland, from Milton Keynes, had previously been jailed for racist abuse.
Victoria Forbes, prosecuting, said he had joined EDL demonstrators at Aldgate station, where they chanted: "Let's go f**king mental," as officers tried to control the crowd.
He claimed he had come to London to visit his mother, not specifically to take part in the demonstration.
Evening Standard
Darrell Copeland, 44, charged a line of police and smashed Sergeant James Lloyd in the face as the officers struggled to control demonstrators from the far-Right group.
Copeland, who had been drinking, struggled violently as he was arrested, headbutting a window, threatening to do the same to police and shouting anti-Muslim abuse, City of Westminster magistrates' court was told.
He was held in custody after Saturday's protest until his court appearance, when he admitted assault. District Judge Daphne Wickham heard that Copeland, from Milton Keynes, had previously been jailed for racist abuse.
Victoria Forbes, prosecuting, said he had joined EDL demonstrators at Aldgate station, where they chanted: "Let's go f**king mental," as officers tried to control the crowd.
He claimed he had come to London to visit his mother, not specifically to take part in the demonstration.
Evening Standard
Labels:
Darrell Copeland,
EDL,
Jailed,
racist abuse,
Tower Hamlets
April 20, 2011
English Defence League member jailed for football fight
A prominent member of the English Defence League has been jailed for nine months for taking part in a pre-arranged “pitched battle” between football hooligans.
Joel Titus, 19, took part in the bloody brawl between Brentford and Leyton Orient supporters outside Liverpool Street station in central London in May last year.
The A-level student was captured on CCTV hurling objects at rivals and fighting over a wooden pole with another thug.
Titus had previously been cautioned for battery after punching a journalist at a right-wing demonstration against the “Islamification of Europe” in December 2009, the Old Bailey heard.
Earlier this year he was found guilty of threatening behaviour after swearing at a police officer who tried to break up a fight.
He is reported to be a youth organiser for the EDL and has appeared on the BBC Newsnight programme talking about his role in protests.
Titus, of North View, Pinner, north-west London, appeared in court alongside five other men, all of whom admitted a charge of affray at earlier hearings.
Dean Wells, 22, of Isleworth, west London, was jailed for 12 months while David Mitchell, 19, of Littlehampton, West Sussex, was given seven months and Andrew Hudson, 26, of Hornchurch, Essex, received an eight-month sentence.
Steven Donovan, 20, of Hayes, Middlesex, and Thomas Armstrong, 24, of Woodford Green, Essex, were each given suspended six-month sentences.
Judge Timothy Pontius said the men had taken part in a “disgraceful display of violence” that terrified ordinary people using a busy railway station and put them at risk of harm from bottles thrown across the street.
He said the “pitched battle” must have been a “frightening spectacle” that required a “firm deterrent message” from the court.
London 24
Joel Titus, 19, took part in the bloody brawl between Brentford and Leyton Orient supporters outside Liverpool Street station in central London in May last year.
The A-level student was captured on CCTV hurling objects at rivals and fighting over a wooden pole with another thug.
Titus had previously been cautioned for battery after punching a journalist at a right-wing demonstration against the “Islamification of Europe” in December 2009, the Old Bailey heard.
Earlier this year he was found guilty of threatening behaviour after swearing at a police officer who tried to break up a fight.
He is reported to be a youth organiser for the EDL and has appeared on the BBC Newsnight programme talking about his role in protests.
Titus, of North View, Pinner, north-west London, appeared in court alongside five other men, all of whom admitted a charge of affray at earlier hearings.
Dean Wells, 22, of Isleworth, west London, was jailed for 12 months while David Mitchell, 19, of Littlehampton, West Sussex, was given seven months and Andrew Hudson, 26, of Hornchurch, Essex, received an eight-month sentence.
Steven Donovan, 20, of Hayes, Middlesex, and Thomas Armstrong, 24, of Woodford Green, Essex, were each given suspended six-month sentences.
Judge Timothy Pontius said the men had taken part in a “disgraceful display of violence” that terrified ordinary people using a busy railway station and put them at risk of harm from bottles thrown across the street.
He said the “pitched battle” must have been a “frightening spectacle” that required a “firm deterrent message” from the court.
London 24
Labels:
EDL,
football hooligan,
Jailed,
Joel Titus
April 09, 2011
EDL protester starts jail term for affray
A man accused of launching a “flying kick” at a police officer while at the forefront of trouble at an EDL march in the Black Country was today behind bars.
Thomas Blackwell admitted a charge of affray during the EDL protest in Dudley on July 17 last year and was sentenced to one year in prison.
A DVD shown at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday showed Blackwell, aged 25, of Bird Street, Lower Gornal, wearing a white stab vest in the front few rows of protesters at the march as they confronted police.
Judge Michael Challinor told him the DVD showed he had “clearly” been at the forefront of the violence which erupted in Stafford Street on the day.
“You attended this demonstration with the intention of causing disorder and violence,” he said.
“This is clear from the fact you were wearing protective clothing in the form of a stab vest.
“In the course of this disorder you tackled a police officer by using a flying kick to his protective shield.”
Judge Challinor said he had considered the fact that Blackwell would lose his job and as a result, his home if sent to prison but added: “This type of violent behaviour so often prevents law-abiding citizens from protesting peacefully.”
Mr Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, told the court Blackwell had been near the front of the group of EDL protesters who had thrown bottles and bits of metal at police, before launching the “flying kick” at a police officer’s riot shield and swearing at him.
Mr Thomas said the group had also been chanting at the police and naming people who had killed officers, including Raoul Moat just weeks before.
Blackwell, who was unrepresented after having an application for legal aid denied, told the court he was “ashamed” of himself.
“I’ve shamed my family and my girlfriend,” he said. He added that he considered the term ‘flying kick’ an “exaggeration”.
Two others who have also pleaded guilty to affray during the EDL march will be sentenced on May 31.
Scott Bailey, 23, of Central Drive, Gornal, is accused of throwing a fence at police while Anthony Grant, 20, of Georges Road, Netherton, is accused of throwing “stones and large objects.”
Express + Star
Thanks to Newshound for the heads up.
Thomas Blackwell admitted a charge of affray during the EDL protest in Dudley on July 17 last year and was sentenced to one year in prison.
A DVD shown at Wolverhampton Crown Court yesterday showed Blackwell, aged 25, of Bird Street, Lower Gornal, wearing a white stab vest in the front few rows of protesters at the march as they confronted police.
Judge Michael Challinor told him the DVD showed he had “clearly” been at the forefront of the violence which erupted in Stafford Street on the day.
“You attended this demonstration with the intention of causing disorder and violence,” he said.
“This is clear from the fact you were wearing protective clothing in the form of a stab vest.
“In the course of this disorder you tackled a police officer by using a flying kick to his protective shield.”
Judge Challinor said he had considered the fact that Blackwell would lose his job and as a result, his home if sent to prison but added: “This type of violent behaviour so often prevents law-abiding citizens from protesting peacefully.”
Mr Stephen Thomas, prosecuting, told the court Blackwell had been near the front of the group of EDL protesters who had thrown bottles and bits of metal at police, before launching the “flying kick” at a police officer’s riot shield and swearing at him.
Mr Thomas said the group had also been chanting at the police and naming people who had killed officers, including Raoul Moat just weeks before.
Blackwell, who was unrepresented after having an application for legal aid denied, told the court he was “ashamed” of himself.
“I’ve shamed my family and my girlfriend,” he said. He added that he considered the term ‘flying kick’ an “exaggeration”.
Two others who have also pleaded guilty to affray during the EDL march will be sentenced on May 31.
Scott Bailey, 23, of Central Drive, Gornal, is accused of throwing a fence at police while Anthony Grant, 20, of Georges Road, Netherton, is accused of throwing “stones and large objects.”
Express + Star
Thanks to Newshound for the heads up.
Labels:
EDL,
Jailed,
Thomas Blackwell,
violence
January 15, 2010
Batley BNP man jailed over explosives arsenal
A drawer of weapons found at the home of BNP member Terrance GavanBus driver Terrance Gavan manufactured highly dangerous firearms and explosives at the home where he lived with his mother in Batley, West Yorkshire. Police discovered 54 improvised explosive devices including nail bombs and a booby-trapped cigarette packet at the address, as well as 12 firearms.
The former soldier told detectives that he had "a fascination with things that go bang", the Old Bailey heard. But Gavan also had a "strong hostility" towards immigrants and planned to target an address he had seen on a television programme that he believed was linked to the July 7 bomb attacks in London.He told police he was a BNP member and letters to him from the party, as well as a copy of its magazine Hope and Glory, were found at his home. The court heard that hand-written notebooks were found, in one of which was written the slogan: "The patriot must always be ready to defend his country against enemies and their governments."
Gavan pleaded guilty to 22 counts including collecting information useful for terrorism and possessing explosives and firearms.
Yorkshire Evening Post
Labels:
Batley,
BNP,
Jailed,
Terrance Gavin,
terrorism
September 09, 2009
Mother in controversial BNP video jailed
A mother of three who was at the centre of a controversial BNP video has been jailedThe 32-year-old admitted both charges, which related to an incident in Fort Gardens, Gravesend, on May 23. She was given an additional nine months in jail for breaching a suspended sentence.
In May, Forster was given a 10-month suspended prison term after being convicted of intimidation. In that case the court heard she had encouraged a group of children to throw eggs and fire an airgun at the home of her neighbour Meherjan Miah, who lives there with her young children.
Following Forster’s conviction for intimidation, it was reported in the media she was a member of the British National Party. However, Paul Golding, BNP councillor for the Swanley St Mary’s Ward of Sevenoaks District Council, vigorously denied she had ever been a member of his party, calling the reports “outrageous lies”.
In a video, Cllr Golding said Forster "is not a member of the British National Party and she never has been". He added: “I contacted our membership department and asked them to check all of our records going back many years and she is not on there whatsoever.”
Cllr Golding interviewed Forster in the video and she denied ever being a member of the BNP. However, News Shopper discovered she was registered as a member of the party under a different name - Helen Colclough.
The video was made as part of Cllr Golding’s Operation Fightback campaign, which aims to expose so-called media lies. When asked to explain why his video on Forster contained a lie, he said he was unaware she was a member of his party under a different name at the time of making the video.
News Shopper
Labels:
BNP,
Helen Colclough,
Helen Forster,
Jailed,
Operation Fightback,
Paul Golding
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
