EDL News and Hope Not Hate draw attention to a report in the Sunderland Echo that Paul Duffy, a former regional organiser for the English Defence League, has been jailed for five years after pleading guilty to possessing a prohibited firearm, live rounds of ammunition, a prohibited weapon and drugs.

Duffy was found in possession of a Webley 8mm pistol and two rounds of ammunition when police raided his house in December following a tip-off. He claimed he was looking after them as payment for a drug debt.

Duffy was the EDL's North-East organiser before he left to join the even more extreme breakaway group, the Infidels (who the EDL once denounced as Nazis but now hail as "great patriots"). He was one of five members of that group who were arrested by the North-East Counter Terrorism Unit in April last year on suspicion of posting race-hate material online. However, after consultation with the CPS it was decided not to press charges.

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A woman who launched a racist attack against a Muslim and pulled her hijab from her head as she robbed her of her phone has been jailed for more than two years.

Eileen Kennedy, 28, and her 16-year-old niece Paige Bain assaulted Umaimi Musa in Glasgow in September.
 The teenager also assaulted Ms Musa's friend, Mary Marandran, who was five months pregnant with her third child.

The victims were sitting in a playpark when they heard one of the accused make racist comments before they were attacked. The incident was captured on CCTV and the camera operator alerted the police as the incident happened.

Passing a sentence of two years and six days on Kennedy yesterday, Sheriff Kenneth Mitchell told her: "There is no place at all in a modern Scotland for this sort of behaviour. This is a very serious matter. Your conduct was wholly unacceptable, and conduct of this sort can only result in a custodial sentence. You joined in a sustained attack upon this lady and robbed her of her mobile phone."

Social work reports had been requested by the sheriff before passing sentence, but Bain's was not ready. She will return to be sentenced next month.

Kennedy and her niece pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to racially assaulting 41-year-old Ms Musa to her injury. Kennedy also pled guilty to resisting arrest and claiming she had an infection before spitting on a police officer. Bain admitted the racially aggravated assault on Mrs Marandran, 40, by repeatedly punching her on the head and pushing her to her injury.

The Scotsman, 1 January 2013

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A man threatened to blow up a Glasgow mosque and claimed he had a bomb in his backpack. Fraser Rae was jailed for the incident at the city's Central Mosque on Thursday.

The 28-year-old launched a racist tirade when he entered the site in the south side of Glasgow and told followers at the mosque that he had a bomb inside his backpack and they should run away. Rae, of Johnstone in Renfrewshire, also shouted that he had a gun and threatened to shoot those near him.

Police arrested Rae at the scene before officers searched his backpack and found a "Scream" mask, gloves and scissors, while he continued to shout racist and threatening remarks.

At Glasgow Sheriff Court on Thursday, Johnstone was jailed for two years and four months after pleading guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour and possessing a knife.

John Dunn, Procurator Fiscal for West of Scotland, said: "Everyone has the right to live free from violence, threats, intimidation or the fear of harassment or abuse stemming from the prejudice of another person. To be targeted because of the colour of skin or faith is totally unacceptable.

"Hopefully the conviction and sentencing of Fraser Rae will encourage the public to report all hate crimes to the police. They can have the confidence that all such crimes will be investigated carefully and prosecuted robustly."

STV, 20 December 2012

See also Scottish Daily Record, 20 December 2012

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A French Muslim teenager who was arrested for wearing a full Islamic veil has been sent to prison for two months after being convicted of biting a policewoman.

Louise-Marie Suisse, 18, was stopped by two police officers near a mosque in the centre of Marseille in late July. She was wearing a full-face veil, in breach of a ban introduced last year, and refused to cooperate with the police when asked to produce identity papers, her trial was told.

The teenager, who admitted biting one of the officers in the ensuing altercation, was given a six-month jail sentence with four suspended. The judge went further than the prosecutor who had demanded a six-month suspended sentence.

Suisse turned up for the hearing in a full-body black niqab but with her face uncovered.

France has outraged many Muslims with its law against full veils, which came into force in April 2011 and bans covering one's face in public.

Violations are punishable by a fine of up to 150 euros ($187) or mandatory citizenship training.

AFP, 20 September 2012

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A former soldier who tied a pig's head to the gates of a Cheltenham mosque has been jailed for four months.

Simon Parkes, 45, from Bishop's Cleeve, Gloucestershire, also sprayed racist graffiti during the attack in November 2010, Gloucester Crown Court heard.

Parkes, who had admitted racially aggravated criminal damage, said he was angry that Muslim extremists had burnt poppies at a Remembrance Day service.

His actions were "blatantly designed to be insulting," Judge Jamie Tabor said. The judge told the former soldier: "You deliberately set out to not just insult another religion, but inflame and increase racial tension at a sensitive time."

Parkes, who was wearing a mask when he went to the mosque, had written the word Allah on the pig's head, the court heard. The court was told he had carried out the revenge attack on 13 November after Muslim extremists had set fire to poppies at a Remembrance Day service in London.

A spokesman from Cheltenham Mosque said: "This was a very shocking incident for the whole community, Muslim and non-Muslim alike."

Tim Waterhouse from Gloucestershire Police said: "I hope this sentence sends out a clear message that this sort of appalling criminal behaviour will not be tolerated.

"Although this disturbing incident happened nearly two years ago, a painstaking and difficult inquiry has led to today's sentencing.

"The message is clear that we will not stop in our determination to target criminals and keep people and our communities safe from harm."

BBC News, 30 August 2012

See also Wilts & Gloucestershire Standard, 30 August 2012

Update:  See "Former soldier jailed for leaving pig's head at mosque", Press Association, 30 August 2012

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Two men who subjected a "decent and hardworking" Asian family to a torrent of abuse have been sent to jail and banned from their shop.

Stefan Davis and Kelvin Barratt were locked up for ten months and told not to go within 200 metres of the family's newsagents in Bulwell for five years. Judge Michael Stokes QC, who sentenced them, asked one of their solicitors: "Why should anyone put up with such behaviour?"

The men began their harassment at 7 o'clock one Monday morning as the family unloaded stock outside their newsagent's in Bulwell. Barratt, 25, of Courtleet Way, on the Crabtree Farm Estate in Bulwell, pulled a knife as he delivered an onslaught of foul remarks and words. He asked one "what religion are you?" and she replied "what does that matter?" He replied: "Because I'm EDL (English Defence League)".

Matters then seemed to calm, with Davis shaking hands with a member of the family, and the men left. But Nottingham Crown Court heard how they returned later that day, on April 16, and continued their racial abuse. "Davis said, 'I'll be back. I'll smash your shop. I'll come back and rob your shop'," said Robby Singh, prosecuting.

Davis then went to Tesco and shouted in the store before police arrived and arrested him and Barratt. Barratt swore and said he had no respect for the police, the court was told.

Both men admitted racially aggravated harassment and using threatening words or behaviour. Barratt additionally pleaded guilty to having the knife.

Judge Michael Stokes QC told them the fact they were both drunk at the time was no excuse. "The family who own the newsagents in Bulwell were at the shop at the time because they are hardworking, decent individuals. They didn't want any trouble. The court will not tolerate such behaviour."

The family asked the Post for their store not to be named for fear of further trouble.

Davis, 21, of Bromley Close, also on the Crabtree Farm Estate, accepted his behaviour was wrong, the court heard, and alcohol was a factor. Andrew Wesley, in mitigation for Barratt, said his client had been out of trouble for nine years, was not a supporter of the EDL, was actively seeking work. He also said he was "deeply ashamed of his behaviour."

Nottingham Post, 24 August 2012

Via ENGAGE

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EDL thugs Bernard Holmes, David Wilson, Jason Smith, David Garratt and Leonard HawleyAn English Defence League mob which descended on an East Lancashire town for a flash mob protest have been branded "a pack of wild animals". Five of the gang have today been jailed for their parts in the brawl.

One Asian teenager was punched and kicked during the disturbance last July and another Asian man was run over as around 25 EDL supporters rolled into Brierfield last July.

Ringleader Bernard Holmes has been jailed for 18 months for his role in co-ordinating the protest, which ended when a rival gang of Asian youths confronted the mob in the Castle Street area of the town.

And Lancashire Police have secured a five year anti-social behaviour order on Holmes, 26, of Bolton Road, Blackburn, preventing him from organising any further "flash mob" protests. He admitted a racially aggravated public disorder charge.

His "lieutenants" Leonard Hawley, 47, of Worcester Road, Blackburn, Jason Smith, 43, formerly of Burnley but now of Hollinge Road, Todmorden, David Wilson, 47,of Devon Road, Blackburn, who admitted the same offence, were each jailed for 37 weeks.

David Garratt, 45, of Beckett Street, Darwen, who confessed to possession of an offensive weapon, was jailed for 47 weeks. Six others from Todmorden, Chorley, Clitheroe and Blackburn were given suspended prison sentences, after admitting using threatening behaviour as part of the same incident.

Passing sentence Judge Norman Wright said freedom of speech was something enjoyed by everyone in the UK, no matter how repugnant the views expressed may be. But the judge, sitting at Preston Crown Court, said the events of that day saw "middle-aged men running around like a pack of animals".

Earlier that day protests had taken place in Accrington and Clitheroe, and outside the home of MEP Sajjad Karim at Simonstone, who said his wife and daughter were left "terrified" by the ordeal.

Lancashire Telegraph, 26 June 2012

See also "EDL mob was like 'a pack of animals'", Lancashire Evening Post, 26 June 2012

Update:  Also "EDL commander who organised intimidating protests against Asian MEP at his home jailed for 18 months", Daily Mail, 26 June 2012

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A violent thug used a meat cleaver to threaten victims during a six-week campaign of robbery and burglary to fund a £600-a-week drink and drug habit.

Daniel Grant, 22, was jailed indefinitely yesterday after a court heard he had a hatred of people not like him and he enjoyed carrying weapons because it made him feel "on top of the world".

Grant committed eight robberies in Leeds between December and January this year, taking £3,000 worth of valuables from victims. Some were assaulted or threatened with a meat cleaver and other weapons.

Leeds Crown Court heard Grant holds openly racist views and is an active member of the English Defence League, a far-right protest group. After his arrest he claimed he carried weapons because other people were "needled-up" and may attack him because of his political views.

Judge Penelope Belcher jailed Grant indefinitely, saying he posed a significant risk of committing serious offences in the future. He must serve a minimum of four years in prison before he can apply to the parole board for release.

Grant, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to robbery, attempted robbery, burglary and possession of a bladed weapon.

After his arrest Grant, who has previous convictions for assault and sex offences, told probation officers and a psychiatrist that he had a fascination with weapons and the power it gave him. He also said he had dreams about "torching" people and inflicting other injuries on them.

Jobless Grant said he committed the offences to fund his addiction to alcohol and cannabis. He was also a regular user of amphetamines, cocaine, ecstasy, cannabis and anabolic steroids, which fuelled his aggression.

He said he was full of hatred for people who were not like him, including members of his own family. A report stated that he had an "abnormal personality" and had no empathy for his victims.

Judge Belcher said Grant was a risk to the public because he showed no desire to change. She told: "You have made it clear that the lifestyle that you were leading, involving drugs and significant amounts of alcohol, is a lifestyle you have every intention of leading on your release from custody."

Yorkshire Evening Post, 24 May 2012

An individual fuelled by violent fantasies who was "full of hatred for people who were not like him"– you can understand why he joined the EDL can't you?

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Jailed again: Martin PottleThree men who joined a hooded and masked gang to attack Kingston Mosque with sticks and bottles have been jailed today. Judge Geraldine Kent overturned their pleas for leniency after hearing that all three men still denied being involved in the attack on November 21, 2010.

David Morris, 21, bought the bacon later strewn over the mosque and was caught out when he photographed co-defendant Alfie Wallace holding a stick. He was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court to six months imprisonment for racially aggravated criminal damage.

Racist Alfie Wallace, 19, was sentenced to a total of 12 months in a Young Offenders Institution for religiously aggravated criminal damage and violent disorder. The court heard he had shouted out "I'm being arrested by a black man" in connection with another earlier offence.

Martin Pottle, 24, was sentenced to a total of 14 months in prison for religiously aggravated criminal damage and violent disorder. He had lied to police to try and pretend he was nowhere near the mosque before admitting during the trial that he was.

CCTV from a mosque camcorder identified him as among the fleeing gang by a distinctive streak in his hair. He was on bail for affray when he joined the attack.

Some of their acquitted former co-defendants in the trial, Paul Abley, Jordan Ellingham, Adam Khalfan and James Stacey watched from the public dock.

The court heard from Morris' defence counsel Mr Robertson that he was polite and helpful and said it was a borderline case for prison.

Wallace's counsel Miss Macatonia said he was only 17 when the attack took place and he had a scheme connected with the Olympics to help young people with right-wing views.

And Mr O'Toole representing Pottle said since he completed a six month prison sentence for affray he had a child with his girlfriend and wanted to turn his life around.

But delivering her verdict Judge Geraldine Kent said: "You had no legitimate reason to go to the mosque at all. This is not a case of a legitimate protest that spiralled out of control.

"The attack on the mosque was an unprovoked attack against innocent people inside the mosque and it frightened members of the public who should be able to go about their daily lives in a residential street without fear."

Kingston Guardian, 27 April 2012

As we have noted before, Pottle, Abley and Ellingham are all associates of former EDL youth leader Joel Titus. The six month sentence for affray that Pottle served was as a result of a fight between rival gangs of football hooligans in 2010 that also led to the jailing of Titus and Abley.

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