Man jailed after 'deliberately' wearing anti-Semitic t-shirt in Jewish area
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA man has been jailed after deliberately wearing a t-shirt with offensive wording relating to the conflict in the Middle East while visiting a Jewish area.
Robert Hughes, 69, was seen by numerous members of the Jewish community walking along Kings Road in Prestwich, on October 9 at around 11.30am, entering shops and speaking to people whilst wearing the offensive bright blue t-shirt.
Several witnesses reported the incident, and a Greater Manchester Police PCSO and a Community Security Trust (CST) officer approached Hughes, of Whitefield, Bury, in the street and persuaded him to cover the t-shirt with a coat. READ MORE: Police issue update after body of woman, 46, found near river READ MORE: Forensics scour scene after Tesco ATM blown apart in 'explosion' In a police interview, Hughes admitted he had deliberately worn the t-shirt toprovoke a reaction from the Jewish community but denied any intention to cause distress and claimed his actions were an expression of his freedom of speech.
Today, November 20, he pleaded guilty at Bolton Magistrates' Court to three racially/religiously aggravated public order offences and was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment, which the court uplifted from eight weeks for racial aggravation.
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