Carlisle Utd steward quits over support for English Defence League

A Carlisle United employee has resigned following reports that Brunton Park stewards were among supporters of the man jailed for burning a copy of the Koran. United spokesman Andy Hall yesterday confirmed that a steward has now left the club.

Andrew Ryan, 32, of Summerhill, London Road, Carlisle, was sentenced to 70 days in prison for intentional religious/racial harassment on Monday. He arrived at the city magistrates’ court flanked by men waving the St George’s Cross and shouting nationalist chants.

The English Defence League Carlisle Division (EDL) had put out a call for members to support Ryan. The News & Star received reports that some of the men were stewards at Brunton Park and the club launched an investigation into their identity.

Mr Hall said: “We received the News & Star’s photographs and are very thankful for it being brought to our attention. We looked at them with our safety staff who identified [one of the men] as a steward at Carlisle United. We contacted him, and he said he understood this could be misconstrued. He said that he would like to keep supporting the EDL. He said he would like to step down.

“The club will not tolerate any form of racist behaviour and, in conjunction with the FA and Football League ‘Kick it Out’ campaign, we are working strenuously to ensure that this issue does not arise at the ground.”

Mr Hall stressed that the steward offered his resignation. It is not illegal to be a member of the EDL.

Ryan was jailed for what district judge Gerald Chalk described as “theatrical bigotry” aimed at causing the maximum amount of distress. Back in January, he had stolen a copy of the Koran from Carlisle Library and burnt it in the city centre. He was shouting abuse about Muslims as he set light to the book and admitted in police interview that he knew his actions would stir up racial hatred.

Ryan has previous convictions for violence, public order offences and racially abusive chanting at a football match. He claims he only has issue with Islamic extremists and has no ill will towards ordinary Muslims.

From 16 to 20 Ryan was a soldier, serving in Northern Ireland. He said he “lost it” after seeing internet footage of extremists burning poppies.

News and Star

Family evicted 'for racial abuse'

An Edinburgh family has been evicted from their home following claims that they had racially abused their neighbours over a period of years.

Sarah Hutton, 36, and her five children were forced to move from their home in Wardieburn on Thursday after being accused of harassing other residents. It is one of the first evictions on the basis of racial abuse and harassment secured by Edinburgh City Council. The family has moved into private accommodation in Edinburgh.

Officials said incidents included extensive vandalism including damaging cars, smashing public toilets, kicking open stair doors and breaking door-entry systems, throwing stones and bricks at people and houses, smashing windows and threats and general abuse to neighbours. One family was even forced to move from the area after they were subjected to years of racial abuse, racist graffiti and assault.

Before the family was evicted the council said it used "every resource available" to work on ways to improve behaviour and to "prevent nuisance". The local authority said it had sent the tenant "numerous warning letters" and had organised joint visits from the council and the police on more than one occasion. She was also offered support with tenancy issues from the council's neighbourhood support team.

However the council said in this case legal action was necessary due to the "serious nature of the complaints" and because the family made no effort to change their behaviour.

Paul Edie, Edinburgh City Council community safety leader, said: "This action sends a clear message that we will not tolerate any sort of racially motivated harassment. Praise should go to residents for standing up and giving evidence against these people despite fears they may have."

Ch Insp Denise Mulvaney, of Lothian and Borders Police, said: "We take the issue of hate crime very seriously, and we believe the robust action taken in this case was the right thing to do and has resulted in the right outcome."

BBC

BNP man faces eviction

A former BNP candidate is facing the boot from his home following his conviction for racially abusing his German next-door neighbour.

Roy West, 44, directed a torrent of foul-mouthed abuse at Bernd Kugow during the dispute at his home in Glenmore Grove, Dukinfield, in a row over a Union Jack flag. West had tried to attach it to Mr Kugow's shed - and when Mr Kugow objected, West flew into a rage.

West called his neighbour a 'Kraut', swore and and told him go back to 'Krautland'. West, who already had three St George's flags and a Cornish flag in his back garden, also told his neighbour to 'remember Dunkirk'. Unemployed West later made a tearful apology when he went to Mr Kugow's house with a box of chocolates and a handwritten letter.

West, who always denied the allegation, changed his plea at Tameside magistrates' court last month and admitted racial harassment. He was fined £125 and ordered to pay £200 costs and a £15 victim's surcharge.

Landlord New Charter is starting legal proceedings to evict West and his partner Pauline Branson, 48. The housing association said West breached the tenancy agreement after being convicted for causing 'nuisance and annoyance' to his neighbour.

Group chief executive Ian Munro said: "Hate crimes are fortunately rare in our communities. But this was 'wholly unacceptable, vile, offensive and distasteful' - words the judge used in his sentencing. West has used the internet since his conviction to doubt the credibility of his victims and the credibility of the judicial system. We have warned him these actions may constitute harassment and will take injunctive action if these continue."

West and Ms Branson moved to the property in August 2006 after complaining of harassment at their previous home in Hyde, where windows were smashed and he was verbally abused.

New Charter has served a possession notice on tenant Ms Branson. Legal proceedings are due to start on Monday.

West stood as a BNP candidate in last May's local elections in Dukinfield, polling 734 votes and finishing second. After his arrest in October, the BNP leadership complained that he was the victim of a 'malicious prosecution' and tried to organise a demonstration to protest against the arrest. But the protest was called off when West said he wanted the case to remain a private matter.

Manchester Evening News