Woman, 41, sentenced for stirring up racial hatred

A 41-year-old woman has today (October 17) been sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court by His Honour Judge Melbourne Inman to two years and seven months in prison for publishing written material that incited racial hatred.

Lucy Connolly, of Parkfield Avenue, Delapre, Northampton, admitted to publishing the inflammatory post on social media on July 29, during a period of disorder across the country.

After pleading guilty to the offence at Northampton Crown Court on September 2, Connolly appeared at Birmingham Crown Court this afternoon where she was sentenced to two years and seven months in prison.

In his sentencing remarks, His Honour Judge Melbourne Inman said: “Sadly this is one of a number of cases this court has had to deal with following the tragic events in Southport.

“Sentences for those who incite racial hatred are intended to both punish and to deter.”

Addressing Connolly, he said: “Your message was widely read, it was viewed 310,000 times.

“You intended to incite serious violence. What you did encouraged activity which threatened or endangered life.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Rich Tompkins, Head of Crime and Justice at Northamptonshire Police said: “This week is Hate Crime Awareness Week and although it is the courts who are responsible for sentencing, I hope this case demonstrates that the police take reports of this nature seriously and that we will do everything we can to help our communities feel safe and protected from fear of violence.

“If you have been a victim of a hate crime, please contact us so we can investigate it. No one should be targeted for who they are.”

To learn more about hate crime and how you can report it, please visit www.northants.police.uk/hatecrime