Two men jailed over calls on Facebook to protest outside asylum seekers’ hotel

Two men who called for protests outside a hotel in their home town where asylum seekers were staying have been jailed.

Christopher Taggart, 36, and Rhys McDonald, 34, both of Runcorn, Cheshire, pleaded guilty to publishing written material to stir up racial hatred and were handed sentences of 32 months and 28 months respectively.

Cheshire Police became aware of messages posted by the defendants between July 29 and August 6 which were openly available to view on Facebook.

Prosecutor Jane Morris told Chester Crown Court: “The offending must be viewed in the context of the widespread and extensively reported scenes of disorder, violence and criminal damage which have taken place around the country – beginning in Southport and spreading to other locations.”

On July 30 Taggart, of Caesars Close, posted: “Who’s up for a rally?” and McDonald replied: “Need to march on the Daresbury Hotel with torches and pitchforks. Enough is enough.”

Taggart responded: “All ready (sic) started to ask ppl.”

Another Facebook user asked: “What’s the rally all about?”

Taggart said: “To get them gone. We don’t want them.”

In the same online thread, McDonald, of Oxford Road, posted: “It’s not about immigration it’s about an ideology.

“Just happens to be that a lot of these immigrants prescribe to this ideology.

“Sadly due to this uncontrolled immigration going on for more than 20 years, in some places this ideology is still embedded.

“It’s not really about immigration it’s about radical Islam.”

On August 4 McDonald wrote: “They need to protest at the hotels where these animals are living.

“No good in Liverpool city centre. Get to the Daresbury.”

One person commented: “Daresbury Hotel needs to go.”

A day later Taggart posted: “We don’t want them here. F*** em. They started we will end it. All of this wouldn’t have happened if they shut the boarders (sic).”

One person posted a fire emoji in response.

Both men were arrested on August 10 at their homes as police seized a knuckleduster at Taggart’s address.

McDonald made no comment to police while Taggart claimed to have ADHD which caused impulsive actions and said he did not mean anything he posted.

Miss Morris said: “The police’s presence and patrols increased as a result of the posts and these have remained in place.

“The offence is clearly aggravated by the defendants’ efforts to plan an event designed to stir up hatred, as well as by the timing of the incident and the sensitive social climate.”

Taggart, who also admitted possession of an offensive weapon, had previous convictions for public order offences.

McDonald had a previous conviction for a public order offence when he was a youth.

Following sentencing, Chief Supt Alison Ross said: “Since the start of the recent disorder in other areas of the UK, we have been clear that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Cheshire, including those who post racial abuse online.

“Much of the violent disorder which has taken place across the UK in recent weeks has been fuelled by malicious communications online, something which Taggart and McDonald decided to take part in.

“But they were not able to hide behind their devices and online accounts – they were soon identified and are now being held accountable.

“This should serve as a stark reminder against posting abusive messages online – we are all responsible for our actions, including what we post on social media.”