UPDATED: Man jailed after intending to stir up religious hatred via TikTok
UPDATE: James Aspin pleaded guilty to distributing a recording intending to stir up religious hatred and was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on 18 November 2024 to a 20 month prison term.
The Crown Prosecution Service has authorised Northumbria Police to charge James Aspin, 34, with distributing a recording intending to stir up religious hatred, contrary to Section 29E of the Public Order Act 1986.
The charge relates to an alleged video published on TikTok on or before 8 August 2024.
Rosemary Ainslie, Acting Head of the CPS Special Crime and Counter Terrorism Division, said: “The CPS reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against this defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.
“It is extremely important there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”
Notes to editors
- James Aspin, [DOB: 14/05/1990], is of Blyth, Northumberland.
- He has been charged with distributing, showing or playing a recording of visual images or sounds, namely a video on Tiktok, which are threatening, intending thereby to stir up religious hatred, contrary to section 29E of the Public Order Act 1986.
- He will appear at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court today [12 August 2024].