Nottingham pig's head mosque race abuse man sentenced

A man who was involved in placing a pig's head on a pole outside the possible site of a mosque in Nottingham has been given a suspended sentence.

Christopher Payne, 25, from Beardsmore Grove, Hucknall, admitted racially aggravated public order offences after the incident on 23 June.

Nottingham Magistrates heard Payne failed to stop others placing the pig's head and had also left racist graffiti.

He was sentenced to 6 weeks imprisonment, suspended for a year.

'Wholly irresponsible'

The court was told Payne had taken delivery of a pig's head, that was later pinned on the pole outside waste ground on Collington Way, in the West Bridgford area.

Payne also admitted writing "no Mosque here, EDL Notts" on the pavement near the site of the proposed mosque.

He admitted causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress and racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage.

He was also ordered to pay a £250 fine with £85 costs, complete 100 hours of community service and stay out of West Bridgford for 12 months.

A letter from Payne was read out in court in which he said he regretted his actions, and now understood and accepted it was wholly irresponsible.

He also told the court he had left the English Defence League.

In sentencing, District Judge Morris Cooper told the court he had reduced Payne's sentence by a third because he pleaded guilty.

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