Far-right terrorist from Lancashire jailed for over four years

Counter-terror police made clear that far-right terrorists, like Conrad Howarth, will face the “consequences” for their actions.

41-year-old Howarth of Pinfold Place, Nelson, in Lancashire, received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence at Manchester Crown Court on February 15.

A press release from Greater Manchester Police confirmed that Howarth proved an ideological obsession with the far-right.

In court, he pleaded guilty to one offence under section 58 of the Terrorism Act 2000, which criminalises “collecting, recording, possessing or viewing by way of the internet, information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.”

Howarth first appeared in court in September 2021, after counter-terror police raided their address in May.

Police also charged under section 63 of the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 for possession of an extreme pornographic image on a laptop.

After pleading guilty to this offence, CourtNewsUK revealed that the extreme pornographic image concerned bestiality.

Detective Chief Inspector Clare Devlin, of Counter Terrorism Policing North West (CTPNW), said: “The evidence seized in this investigation was concerning and demonstrated Howarth’s obsession with far right wing ideologies.

“Today’s verdict sends the message that extreme right-wing terrorism will not be tolerated and perpetrators will face the consequences of their actions.”

 

 

 

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Categories: Far Right groups, GMP, Lancashire, News, terrorism

JAILED: the far-right racist who called for the burning of mosques on Facebook

A 51-year-old racist received a 10-month prison sentence last month after calling for the burning of mosques, outlawing Islam, and labelling Muslims as “dirty, twisted s***-stinking paedos” on Facebook.

Paul Shelton posted under the pseudonym “Pedro Smokey” and used the public group The Realist People Movement to post his violent, racist speech in October 2018.

Members of the public who took screenshots of the comments forwarded them on to the police, who located Shelton at their home address in Buxton Road, Furness Vale.

Shelton also used the racist epithet the P-word, according to DerbyshireLive.

The prosecution outlined how Mr Shelton proved uncooperative with police – examples presented included that when asked if he was behind the account, Shelton replied, “I can’t answer that question.”

Following two charges of publishing threatening written material intending to stir up religious hatred with a trial date at Derbyshire Crown Court for January 2020 – but delays shifted the trial date to January 18, 2022, where Shelton changed course and entered a guilty plea.

Judge Shaun Smith handed Shelton a 10-month custodial sentence – imposing a further ten months on licence.

Judge Smith said of Shelton: “What you posted was utterly vile, grossly offensive and appalling.

“No right-thinking person would think this is anything other than abhorrent.”

On Facebook, Shelton also promoted a far-right EDL protest outside of the so-called “Didsbury paedo cult hall,” and he called on others to burn it down and “cook our bacon on its ashes.”

In mitigation, the defence unsuccessfully argued that Shelton had “disavowed” his views and re-connected with his daughter and their Iraqi partner, along with a grandchild he “spoils”.

Detective Inspector Graham Prince, who leads the Derbyshire team at Counter-Terrorism Policing East Midlands that dealt with the case, said: “The language used by Paul Shelton in his posts were nothing short of horrifying.

“We have seen on an all too frequent basis the way in which online postings such as this can be taken into the physical world with absolutely devastating consequences – and it is clear from the sentence imposed that the courts have taken this matter very seriously.

“This is not a victimless crime or one that is any less serious simply because it was posted on Facebook. There should be no place for this type of hate speech and as a force, and region, we will do all we can to ensure that where people cross the line from debate into hate then they are rightly brought to justice.”

Shelton also received a five-year criminal behavioural order – meaning he must provide the police with details of any electronic devices he possesses – and provide passwords. If Shelton intends to use social media again, he must also do so with his real name.

Tell MAMA has, for many years, documented in news articles and research reports how the far-right weaponise the crimes of child sexual abuse to push racialised, harmful narratives in the online and offline worlds, how such ideas get mainstreamed, and the consequences – sometimes fatal, threatening, abusive have targeted Muslims or their institutions.

You can get advice from our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Or message us on WhatsApp on 0734 184 6086 or message us on Twitter or Facebook by following @tellmamauk.

 

 

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Categories: CSE, Derbyshire, Derbyshire Police, hate crime, News

Muslim woman assaulted, hijab pulled, bag torn on DLR train

The British Transport Police (BTP) have issued a CCTV appeal for information following a racist assault on a Muslim woman on a DLR train as it approached Poplar station in east London.

The anti-Muslim and Islamophobic assault occurred on the evening of January 20, as the perpetrator targeted the woman, who wears the hijab, with racist abuse as she stood by the train doors.

According to the BTP, the racist then assaulted the woman by attempting to tear off her hijab before grabbing the woman’s rucksack with such force it caused a strap to tear.

The CCTV images released of a white male wearing a brightly coloured jacket with their blue hood up may help the BTP an individual who may assist with their investigation, the press release adds.

Credit: British Transport Police

In partnership with the BTP, we created tailored safety tips for Muslims when travelling on the rail networks – free to download in a high-resolution PDF. We urge communities to keep these tips in mind when navigating the rail networks.

Safety tips for the rail networks

Pay attention to your surroundings.

Note down where on the train you entered – remember the carriage number or letter or if you entered at the front, middle or back of the train.

If travelling on the London Underground, remember the above information and note down the number of the carriage (located at the emergency exits of each carriage).

If attacked or abused, try to write down details like their appearance, clothing, and the time of the attack and where possible and safe to do so, take a photograph or video to share with Tell MAMA or the BTP.

You can text the BTP on 61016 or message Tell MAMA on WhatsApp on 0734 184 6086.

Trust your judgement and move away from those who are aggressive or acting drunkenly – this could mean moving to a different section of the carriage, or, if travelling on the London Underground, exiting the train at the next available stop and waiting for the next train, or informing staff or BTP officers of any concerns.

In an emergency, always dial 999.

Tell MAMA continues to document the gendered, racialised nature of anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and its disproportionate impact on Muslim women.

If you recognise the man in the CCTV or have any information, please contact BTP by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 538 of 20/01/22.

Call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Or, if you want Tell MAMA to contact the BTP anonymously or on your behalf, get in touch via our website, or call our freephone on 0800 456 1226.

 

 

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Categories: BTP, DLR, hate crime, London, News

Racist man punched Muslim teen in hijab in her nose in Swiss Cottage

Content note: the images of Ayan’s injuries may prove upsetting and distressing, along with descriptions of a racist attack

 

The Metropolitan Police are investigating a shockingly violent racist attack on a Black Somali Muslim teen in Swiss Cottage, in the London borough of Camden.

18-year-old Ayan Mohamoud reached out to Tell MAMA on social media and consented for us to tell her story.

Ayan described how the assault occurred by the fountain located with the Swiss Cottage open space. Ayan had arrived there at around 7:30 pm on February 13, having finished work thirty minutes earlier.

During her walk, she noticed a single male walking in the opposite direction, and thinking nothing of it, paid no attention to him or made eye contact. The man, however, hesitated in his step as he approached before punching her in the nose. He said nothing and soon walked away.

The shock of the assault left her frozen, and with her nose bleeding profusely, she screamed and sought help from members of the public.

Sadly, one member of the public ignored her pleas.

Ayan soon called her mother in tears, and once safely home, called the police.

Officers attended the address that evening.

She also attended the hospital to have her injuries assessed.

The injuries and pains included issues with her eyes, which she remedied with eye drops, whilst the initial swelling on her nose has decreased – but described to our Casework Team that she is now suffering from severe headaches, neck aches, eye and nose pains. She disclosed photos of her injuries which appear below.

The injuries and pains included issues with her eyes, which she remedied with eye drops, whilst the initial swelling on her nose has decreased – but described to our Casework Team that she is now suffering from severe headaches, neck aches, eye and nose pains.
Credit: Ayan Mohamoud

Ayan believes the assault may have been Islamophobic in nature, given that she was wearing a hijab and abaya when the assault occurred.

Posting her experiences of the assault on TikTok is another way she hopes will raise awareness and help police catch those responsible.

She thanked Tell MAMA for their support, stating, “Thank you so much for the support. I really appreciate it.”

We will continue to assist in this matter and will provide updates where possible.

 

 

 

 

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Categories: Camden, Hijab, London, MET Police, News, Swiss Cottage

New Virgin Media campaign features Muslim skateboarder in hijab

Virgin Media, one of the UK’s biggest broadband providers, has launched a new campaign that centres on the skateboarder Aamira, who wears the hijab, and is part of the Melanin Skate Gals & Pals collective.

 

Melanin Skate Gals & Pals is a London-based collective that empowers minoritised and marginalised groups through skateboarding and social action, per their Instagram.

The advert begins with Aamira’s initial skateboarding troubles. And, by its conclusion, thanks to the support and friendships made in the collective, she can perform the “drop-in” successfully which brings collective cheer and celebration.

A press release from the company details how the ‘We’re better, connected’ campaign, created by Adam & Eve/DDB, forms part of Virgin Media’s ambition for more inclusivity in their advertising campaign. Their internal research revealed the inclusivity of skating communities both online and offline, which they sought to represent with this campaign.

The campaign had its television launch during the broadcast of Manchester United’s FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough on February 4.

The Drum praised the campaign, calling it their advert of the day when it premiered.

Paul Knott, creative director at Adam & Eve/DDB, said: “The campaign is an example of how technology can unite people from different backgrounds and communities, enabling them to share in their pursuits, often in unexpected and serendipitous ways.” Simon Groves, the Executive Director of Brand and Marketing at Virgin Media O2, mentioned the new campaign: “shows just how integral the internet is in inspiring us, connecting us, and helping us achieve our dreams, no matter what our background.”

On social media, Tell MAMA documented several reports of racist speech targeting the campaign, with some falsely accusing the company of pushing a “woke” agenda that a “majority does not recognise” to others pushing hate speech about demographics with the infamous “#WhiteLivesMatters” hashtag.

One example of the racist response to the Virgin Media campaign, as reported to us by a member of the public.

We continue to urge the public to report such content across any major social media platform, given our trusted flagger status.

More broadly, stories about the Melanin Skate Gals & Pals collective have appeared in other media outlets in recent months. For example, the zine writer and fashion photographer Martus Chai photographed members of Melanin Skate Gals & Pals which was featured in the i-D magazine last December. Chai reflected how the collective creates a safe space for queer and POC skaters, mentioning that fashion “became a way to embrace a marginalised group within our community.”

Marie Mayassi, who founded the collective, told This Girl Can, “I really encourage anyone who wants to start skateboarding to actually try and find a collective where they feel like they fit, but also to not hesitate to start their own initiative if they don’t feel like any of the collectives are catering for their feelings.”

You can get advice from our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Or message us on WhatsApp on 0734 184 6086 or message us on Twitter or Facebook by following @tellmamauk.

 

 

 

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Categories: advertising, Hate Speech, Hijab, News

Locals remove sticker of far-right Polish clothing brand in Walthamstow

A sticker promoting a far-right website in Poland found on a bus stop in Walthamstow has since been removed.

A resident waiting for a bus on the evening of January 19 on Hoe Street saw the sticker, which read “F*** the system,” but did not learn of its violent, hateful nature until they researched it further on their route home.

A local resident documented the sticker without knowing its origins. The subsequent removal occurred on Jan 31 (or sometime earlier).

To understand more about the website, Tell MAMA spoke with Never Again – one of Poland’s most prominent anti-racism organisations.

A spokesperson confirmed its links to the violent football hooligan scene with strong far-right links, with an assortment of its “products” offering violent messages (including violent death threats against police and alleged informers).

Never Again mentioned how the far-right political actor and agitator Marian Kowalski had promoted their materials on social media. The t-shirt Kowalski promoted in 2017 pushed a racialised, harmful, anti-Muslim and Islamophobic trope of so-called “Islamisation” – and remains available to purchase in 2022. The backprint of the product depicts a burning mosque with blood splatter in the background. As late as 2017, the company also sold a t-shirt variant of this violently anti-Muslim and Islamophobic product – archives confirm.

Poland is 99.9 per cent Christian, according to the 2011 census. European Union data shows that whilst Poland has no official religion, an overwhelming majority (around 87 per cent) of the population are Roman-Catholic. A wealth of academic research, including on “Islamophobia without Muslims” and how such narratives (in politics and sections of the press) stigmatised and targeted refugees.

A further item for sale included a dog tag that promotes the conspiracy, linking Muslims to ISIS.

Our investigation revealed how the Facebook profile of the clothing brand shared an Islamophobic conspiracy video from 2013 about demographics in a video titled “Who can stop Islam?”.

A year earlier, the Facebook page shared a racist and homophobic meme about throwing such minoritised groups off a plane in alphabetical order to prevent a fictitious plane from crashing.

That same year, the company promoted the white supremacist slogan “anti-Antifa” as a marketing tool on Facebook on multiple occasions.

During our investigation, the local resident who contacted us, to begin with, made further contact. In correspondence with Tell MAMA,  they stated that the sticker had its URL link scratched off before someone had removed it, attaching photographic proof dated January 31.

Wanting to remain anonymous, they expressed gratitude at however removed it, adding that, for its multiculturalism, it remained of concern that individuals with racist, far-right agendas felt emboldened to spread hate and propaganda in the area.

You can get advice from our confidential and free helpline on 0800 456 1226. Or through our free iOS or Android apps. Report through our online form. Or message us on WhatsApp on 0734 184 6086 or message us on Twitter or Facebook by following @tellmamauk.

 

 

 

 

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Categories: conspiracy theories, Islamisation, News, Waltham Forest, Walthamstow

Man accused of blasphemy stoned to death by mob in Pakistan

A 41-year-old man has been stoned to death by a mob for allegedly desecrating the Koran inside a mosque in a village in eastern Pakistan, police have said.

Three police officers also were injured, and more than 80 men have been detained after the incident on Saturday evening in the Khanewal district of Punjab province.

The mosque’s custodian said he saw the man burning the Muslim holy book and told others before informing police, according to a spokesman.

Police rushed to the mosque and found the man surrounded by an angry crowd.

Officer Mohammad Iqbal and two other police personnel tried to take custody of the man, but the group began throwing stones at them, seriously injuring Mr Iqbal and slightly injuring the other two officers.

Munawar Gujjar, chief of Tulamba police station, said he rushed reinforcements to the mosque but they were not in time to stop the mob stoning the man to death before hanging his body from a tree.

The victim was named as Mushtaq Ahmed, 41, who was from a nearby village.

“The ill-fated man has been mentally unstable for the last 15 years and according to his family often went missing from home for days begging and eating whatever he could find,” he said.

Mr Ahmed’s body has been returned to his family.

Police have so far detained about 80 men living in the mosque’s surroundings, but around 300 suspects are said to have taken part in the stoning.

Pakistan’s prime minister Imran Khan expressed his anguish over the stoning, and said he was seeking a report from Punjab’s chief minister on the police handling of the case. He said they had “failed in their duty”.

“We have zero tolerance for anyone taking the law into their own hands and mob lynching will be dealt with with the full severity of the law,” Mr Khan said in a tweet hours after the incident.

The prime minister also asked the Punjab police chief for a report on the actions taken against perpetrators of the lynching.

The killing comes months after the lynching of a Sri Lankan manager of a sporting goods factory in Sialkot in Punjab province on December 3 who was accused by workers of blasphemy.

International and national rights groups say blasphemy accusations have often been used to intimidate religious minorities and settle personal scores. It is a crime punishable by death in Pakistan.

The post Man accused of blasphemy stoned to death by mob in Pakistan appeared first on Faith Matters.

Categories: Blasphemy, Khanewal, killing, Koran, Mob, Mohammed, mosque, Pakistan, Punjab

National Action: man accused of belonging to banned neo-Nazi terror group

A 35-year-old man will appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court next week (February 14) accused of belonging to the banned neo-Nazi terror group National Action.

News of the arrest (made in November last year) and subsequent bail emerged when news of the charges broke today (February 7).

David Mullens, of north London, was charged on February 4, with one count of membership of a proscribed organisation – National Action (contrary to Section 11 of the Terrorism Act 2000).

The alleged membership of National Action occurred between December 2016 and August 2017.

National Action became the first neo-Nazi group proscribed as a terrorist group in the UK in December 2016.

 

 

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Categories: Far Right groups, Metropolitan Police, National Action, News, terrorism

JAILED: Neo-Nazi terror teen hid bomb-making docs in Minecraft guides

A neo-Nazi terrorist who disguised bomb-making documents as weapons guide for the popular video game Minecraft was jailed for three-and-a-half years at Woolwich Crown Court last Friday (February 4).

Nineteen-year-old Connor Burke, a university student from Bexleyheath in southeast London, had shared the materials on a far-right Telegram channel that boasted over 12,000 users.

Burke also possessed a copy of the banned Anarchist Cookbook, and, following an earlier court appearance last year, the prosecution outlined how the neo-Nazi teen had other bomb-making documents disguised as Minecraft-related texts, with titles like “Minecraft Kitchen Cookbook”. Other terroristic content included the “Minecraft Homemade TNT.pdf” file.

On that notable Telegram channel, Burke made racist statements about other university students, including the use of the P-word, the Evening Standard reported.

Burke also pleaded guilty to four counts of possession of a document likely to be helpful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

When police raided the home address of Burke last year, officers uncovered various regalia (including knives, rings, uniforms) from Nazi Germany and a copy of Hitler’s Mein Kampf.

Following charges in March of last year, Burke pleaded guilty in July but argued the distribution of the bomb-making materials online owed instead to sheer “recklessness”.

The prosecution contested this claim with a Newton hearing in December 2021. According to the Crown Prosecution Service, a Newton hearing occurs “if the defence, in mitigation, depart from the facts as opened by the prosecution in a manner which is material to the central issue” and if such a departure is significant enough (and if deemed acceptable) will impact the sentencing.

The judge rejected the claim of recklessness, concluding that Burke wilfully posted the materials knowing that other members of the group may use such documents – to assist in the preparation or assistance of far-right terrorism.

Commander Richard Smith, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Burke had an unhealthy interest in extreme right wing terrorist ideology, and this led to him sharing extremely dangerous material with others online.

“Increasingly, we’re seeing young people being drawn into extremist ideologies, some of whom – like Burke – then go on to commit serious terrorism offences.”

According to the defence, the parents of Connor Burke believed their son went down an online “rabbit hole” during lockdown – a very dark rabbit hole.

After leaving prison, Burke will spend a further twelve months on licence.

 

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Categories: Far Right groups, MET Police, Nazi, Neo-Nazi, News, Telegram, terrorism

Far-right terror trial: Cardiff teen charged with multiple offences

A teenager from the Whitchurch area of the Welsh capital appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court in London yesterday (Thursday), charged with terrorism offences – including alleged membership of a proscribed neo-Nazi group.

According to WalesOnline, nineteen-year-old Luca Benincasa, arrested by counter-terror police on Tuesday, also gave officers two addresses – Carisbrooke Way and The Philog.

The alleged membership of the neo-Nazi terror group in question concerns the Feuerkrieg Divisionproscribed by the Home Office in July 2020.

Further charges against Benincasa concern four counts of alleged possession of information likely to be helpful to a person committing or preparing an act of terrorism.

Benincasa spoke in court yesterday to confirm his age, address, and date of birth.

Mark Pope, Detective Chief Inspector of the Wales Extremism and Counter-Terrorism Unit, said: “At no point was there any danger to the public.” Adding, “We work in close partnership with the public to ensure that we can intervene as early as possible to prevent those vulnerable to radicalisation.”

The judge remanded Benincasa in custody, and he will appear at the Old Baily on February 14.

 

 

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Categories: Far Right groups, Neo-Nazi, News, terrorism