Extremists sentenced in landmark incitement to hatred trial in Derby

By James Ledward
Feb 10, 2012 - 3:48:34 PM

Chief Inspector Sunita Gamblin

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.

WEB.220.Death_Penalty_leaflet__front_1.jpg

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.

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