Three extremists who were convicted in January for stirring up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation were sentenced today at Derby Crown Court.
Razwan Javed
Ihjaz Ali of Fairfax Road was found guilty of four counts and sentenced to two years in prison, while Kabir Ahmed of Madeley Street and Razwan Javed of Wilfred Road were both found guitly of one count and sentenced to 15 months each.
Ihjaz Ali
Mehboob Hussain (45) of Rosehill Street and Umar Javed (38) of Whittaker Street, Derby were found not guilty.
Kabir Ahmed
All three were found guilty in January of distributing leaflets suggesting violent ways to kill gay people.
The case was brought following complaints from members of the public in June, 2010 about leaflets being distributed in the Normanton and Pear Tree areas of the city prior to Derby Pride.
The leaflet, titled Death Penalty, contained quoted from the Koran and stated that homosexuality was evil and should be punished by death,
Following a police investigation and consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, five men were charged with offences under section 29C of the Public Order Act.
Chief Inspector Sunita Gamblin, of Derby Division, said: “These sentences send a very strong and clear message that this type of activity is a criminal offence and it is not acceptable or tolerated.
“As well as that, I sincerely hope it gives the public, particularly members of the Lesbian, Gay, Bi-Sexual and Transgender community, confidence that we take such issues seriously and will respond accordingly.
“When opinion and beliefs spill over into hatred as seen in this case it makes people feel threatened.
“No-one should be made to feel fearful simply because of their sexual orientation or any other characteristic.
“We have excellent relationships across the city with the many different communities and they have responded very responsibly to what’s happened and they all share the view that the actions of these men was unlawful and abhorrent.
"If you have been a victim of hate crime contact Derbyshire police on 101 or the Stop Hate UK hotline on 0800 138 1625."
Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive welcomed the sentences, he said: "Gay people in Derby – and their friends and families – will feel relieved to see these extremists kept away from the community that they terrified with their deeply offensive and threatening leaflets. This whole case vindicates Stonewall’s long fight to secure specific legal protection for gay people against incitement to hatred."
Stonewall led lobbying to secure amendments to the Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 that extended existing protections against incitement to hatred on the grounds of race or religion to sexual orientation.
The relevant amendments are in Section 76 and Schedule 16 of the Act, and Part 3A of the Public Order Act 1986.
Andy Feest took over the helm at the Queens Arms in December 1992. In this, his 20th year in George Street, Gscene got up close and personal with the four times winner of the Golden Handbag Manager Of The Year award.
I can’t hear the word Barcelona without hearing Freddie Mercury and
Montserrat Caballé’s 1987 hit single which became the unofficial anthem
for the 1992 Olympic Games.
Last
year, Football v Homophobia staged over 30 events in the UK
and abroad. Football matches and tournaments were staged all over the
globe with fans and communities everywhere uniting under the banner of
"Football v Homophobia".
The Rugby Football League has launched a
new game wide ‘Tackle IT’ Equality and Diversity programme which aims to
increase awareness of issues such as racism, homophobia and other forms
of discrimination and prejudice within Rugby League.
A treat and the ENO at it’s very best, thrilling, astonishing singing, a
surreal wonder to look at very funny and deeply odd, but in the best possible way. Book now!
This well known fable which follows the fate of Prince Siegfried when he
is captivated and then falls in love with the beautiful Swan Queen,
Odette. The ballet’s soaring climax sees the power of true love conquer
the forces of evil.
Following her hugely successful ‘Up Your
Street‘ Supper Club events at The Swan in 2011, writer, historian and
performer Rose Collis is staging a new season of thematic events in
2012, focusing on Science, Literature , Politics, Art, Royalty, Cinema
and Theatre in Kemp Town and its environs.
Organisers of the Brighton Food and Drink
Festival, including Nick Mosley from Brighton Visitor, Paula Seager
from Natural PR, Adam Style from Style Accountants and Andrew Kay from
Latest7 collected the trophy from Ruth Badger from the TV show The
Apprentice.
The Queens Hotel is the latest seafront
venue to offer a Sunday lunch deal with top line cabaret. Lunch is
served quite early from 1pm with cabaret at 2.30pm and costs £19.95 for
three courses.