Social media user facing substantial sentence over race hate messages

A 25-year-old man who incited race hate on a social media platform in the week after the Southport stabbings has been warned to expect a substantial custodial sentence.

Ehsan Hussain, from Birmingham , pleaded guilty on Wednesday at the city’s magistrates’ court to distributing “threatening, abusive or insulting” written material intending to stir up racial hatred between August 3 and 6.

No details of the material written by Hussain were given to the court, although his solicitor said the offending was “commissioned initially out of curiosity” after he was shocked at some posts and then wrote messages “to take a poke” at others.

My powers of sentencing (a six-month maximum sentence) are clearly and substantially exceeded

District Judge David Murray refused a bail application and remanded Hussain into custody for sentencing at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday.

Hussain, of Coventry Road, South Yardley, spoke only to confirm his plea and personal details before prosecutor Shahzad Imam told the court that the maximum sentence available for the offence at the crown court was seven years’ jail.

Applying for sentencing to take place at the crown court, Mr Imam said: “The Crown say it falls into higher culpability.

“The posts were widespread by virtue of significant (online) group membership.”

Defence lawyer Aftab Zahoor said Hussain had written messages after being “appalled” at other posts on a social media platform, which was not named in court, and had now “had time to reflect on matters”.

“He is apologetic and remorseful for his actions,” Mr Zahoor said of his client.

Committing the case for sentencing at the crown court, District Judge Murray told Hussain: “This is part of the overall disorder which caused real problems throughout the country.

“I will decline jurisdiction in relation to these matters.

“My powers of sentencing (a six-month maximum sentence) are clearly and substantially exceeded.

“You have pleaded guilty and you will get credit for your guilty plea in due course.”