A 53-year-old woman has been sentenced to 15 months in prison after making threatening comments towards a mosque on Facebook. Julie Sweeney, a carer from Church Lawton, Cheshire, admitted to posting the message: “Don’t protect the mosques, blow the mosque up with the adults in it.” This incident occurred in the aftermath of recent disorder and rioting in the UK, which followed the tragic stabbing of three young girls in Southport on July 29th.
Sweeney, who had never been in trouble with the law before and had been caring for her husband since 2015, sent the threatening comment to a local community Facebook group. The post was reported to the police by a member of the group who became uneasy at the nature of the comments being shared following the widespread violent disorder.
During her sentencing at Chester Crown Court, Sweeney admitted to sending a communication to convey a threat of death or serious harm. The Honorary Recorder Of Chester, Judge Steven Everett, condemned her actions, stating that she should have reacted to the news of the violent events with horror, like any right-minded person would. Instead, she chose to participate in spreading hatred and inciting violence.
Sweeney claimed that she posted the comment in anger, with no intention to cause fear, and acknowledged that her actions were unacceptable. She expressed remorse and stated that she would be deleting her Facebook account. Her defense lawyer, John Keane, described the incident as a one-off event from an individual living a quiet and sheltered life in Cheshire.
The sentencing of Sweeney is part of a broader trend of individuals facing legal consequences for their involvement in recent riots and disorder across the country. The court cases of those responsible for violent acts have been expedited to send a clear message about the repercussions of such behavior.
In a separate case, 26-year-old Connor Whiteley was sentenced to three years in prison for his role in violent disorder and assaulting an emergency worker in Hull. Whiteley was part of a group that targeted a hotel housing asylum seekers, engaging in racist and hate-fueled violence that left a female police officer injured. The judge highlighted the terror inflicted on members of the public, including children, during the attack.
Similarly, 49-year-old Trevor Lloyd received a three-year prison sentence for storming a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Lloyd filmed the incident on his phone as a group broke into the premises, causing chaos and endangering the lives of both residents and law enforcement officers. Judge Jeremy Richardson described the footage as the worst he had seen, emphasizing the severity of the violence displayed.
Glyn Guest, a 60-year-old from South Yorkshire, was jailed for two years and eight months for his involvement in the same riot in Rotherham. Guest was convicted of pulling a police officer to the ground during the chaos that ensued.
In Bristol, Dominic Capaldi and Daniel Russell were sentenced to 34 months and 32 months, respectively, for their roles in violent disorder on August 3rd. Both individuals were captured on video engaging in violent acts against police officers and protesters, with Capaldi partaking in chants of “send them back” while Russell targeted a black man during the clashes.
The sentencing of these individuals reflects the authorities’ commitment to holding perpetrators of violence and disorder accountable for their actions. The swift legal actions taken against those involved in riots across the country serve as a deterrent to others considering engaging in similar behavior.
Meanwhile, in Birmingham, Habeeb Khan pleaded not guilty to charges of possessing an imitation AK-47 with intent to cause harm and sending threatening communications via social media. Khan denied knowledge of a video circulating on social media that depicted him with the weapon, emphasizing his innocence in the matter.
The case of Julie Sweeney serves as a reminder of the consequences of spreading hate and inciting violence online. As individuals like Sweeney face legal repercussions for their actions, it sends a strong message that such behavior will not be tolerated in society. The courts’ swift actions in addressing recent riots and disorder aim to restore peace and order in communities affected by violence and unrest.
