No Jail Term For Abuse Councillor

| Friday, 23 June 2006 Source: Burnley News

MAGISTRATES have told a Burnley British National Party councillor he had narrowly escaped jail after being found guilty of racially abusing a group of Asian men during a night out.

Despite pleading his innocence, Coun. Brian Turner (43), who is a painter and decorator, was convicted following a trial in May. The case followed an incident in November last year outside the Orange House pub when police dealing with a fracas say they heard Turner shout racist remarks.

Magistrates this week ordered Turner to carry out 300 hours of unpaid work in the community – the maximum they can impose – observe a 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. curfew for four months and pay £300 costs.

They dismissed an appeal by Turner to have the curfew extended to 9 p.m. to 7 a.m. and said they feared his behaviour could have sparked scenes similar to the disturbances in 2001.

Mr Andrew Robinson (prosecuting) told Burnley Magistrates' Court that dad-of-three Turner had been warned by officers after he was heard chanting "BNP" at some Asian men, which he passed off as a joke. As the group were getting arrested, Turner then unleashed a burst of racist abuse – which was overheard by an Asian police officer.

Mr Robinson went on: "It was an extremely volatile situation and tensions were running high. Brian Turner was laughing while the Asian males were being escorted away.

"He then came over and said to the group, 'get back to your own country'. An Asian officer heard the words that were said."

Miss Jasmine Basnyet (defending) said that the abuse was restricted to just a few words, and was not a sustained attack.

She pleaded with the court not to impose a custodial sentence, fearing it may have an adverse effect on his 20-year-old son Daniel, who is recovering after suffering a breakdown through paranoid psychosis.

She went on: "Mr Turner has had the threat of custody hanging over him for three weeks, he is not coping very well. He is trying to support and rehabilitate his son, who he lives with, and get him back to work. He is a hard-working, family man who cares for all of his sons.

"He is also a councillor who strives to improve the lives of residents in Cliviger and help to solve their problems."

Magistrates told Turner that they had strongly considered imposing a custodial sentence. The chairman of the bench went on: "Big fires are started from little sparks. A number of us here remember the incidents a few years ago in Oldham, Bradford and, of course, Burnley. We would not wish for that again."

Speaking outside the court, BNP leader Coun. Sharon Wilkinson said she felt Turner was picked out because of his political beliefs.

She said on: "We weren't really sure what sentence to expect, but feel he has been targeted solely because he is a BNP councillor.

"I worry that BNP councillors will be targeted. It would seem some people have realised they cannot get rid us through the ballot box, so they try other ways."