Man convicted of stirring up racial hatred on Russian social media site
A British man has been convicted of trying to stir up racial hatred by posting racist memes on VK, a Russian social media site.
David Hutchinson, 61, was sentenced to three years' imprisonment when he appeared at Kingston Crown Court today, having pleaded guilty to seven offences earlier this year.
He is the second person convicted in relation to the website.
Nick Price, head of the CPS Counter Terrorism Division, said: “Over a 10-month period David Hutchinson persistently posted these derogatory racist memes on a social media site which he believed consisted of like-minded people.
“His comments went beyond free speech and demonstrated hostility to several racial groups. By his pleas he has accepted they were intended to stir up hatred against those groups.
“Hate crimes have a corrosive effect on society and we will always prosecute where there is sufficient evidence to do so.”
Notes to editors
David Hutchinson [DOB: 14/05/1961], of Sutton, admitted seven offences of publishing material to stir up racial hatred, contrary to section 19 Public Order Act 1986.
- On 10 December 2020
- On 26 March 2021
- On 30 July 2021
- On 12 September 2021
- On 16 September 2021
- On 7 October 2021
- On 10 October 2021
Luke Crompton, 30, was convicted in 2020 after using the same site to post extreme material – photographs, images and words – expressing hatred and contempt for, amongst others, gay people, Jews, Muslims and black people. His posts called for and encouraged extreme activity against them, such as the destruction of the Jewish and Islamic faiths, the torching of mosques and the murder of black people, Muslims and Jews. He was sentenced to a two-year community order with a requirement of 30 rehabilitation days after the court heard he was a vulnerable individual.
- The CPS Counter Terrorism Division is responsible for prosecuting terrorist related offences in England and Wales.