Julie Sweeney, a 53-year-old woman from Church Lawton, Cheshire, was sentenced to 15 months in jail for posting a comment on Facebook suggesting that mosques should be blown up. Sweeney pleaded guilty to sending communications that threaten death or serious harm. The comment was made in a Facebook group following riots in Southport. The prosecution argued that her comment incited hatred and violence.
Sweeney’s defense attorney stated that it was a single comment on a single day and that she has not had any prior legal issues, serving as a primary caregiver to her husband. The police made a statement condemning this behavior, emphasizing that they will not tolerate such actions.
The incident occurred amid violent unrest in cities and towns across England and Northern Ireland, fueled by online rumors and false information. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to deliver swift justice to deter further violence, and police have warned that arrests will likely continue in the coming months.
The high-profile nature of these cases has led to televised sentencings and public release of convicted individuals’ names and photos in an effort to make the criminal justice system’s response more visible. The government is taking a tough stance against hate speech and incitement to violence on social media platforms, emphasizing the consequences for those who engage in such behavior.
Source
Photo credit www.aljazeera.com
