BNP man guilty of racism against unknown victim

Simon de Bruxelles | Thursday, 21 September 2006 Source: The Times

A MEMBER of the British National Party was convicted yesterday of racially abusing an Asian woman, although the victim has never been traced and the exact words that he used could not be heard by the only witness.

Robert McGlynn, 40, was seen shouting abuse at the unknown woman through the open window of his car as he drove through Swansea, South Wales, in June.

He was arrested after a receptionist, Lydia Rees, 43, took down details of his car and reported him to police.

Her action earned her a community safety award from South Wales Police, with which she she was presented in the summer, before the case came to court.

McGlynn claimed that he had been "hung, drawn and quartered" before he set foot in the courtroom.

After hearing the evidence, Swansea magistrates deliberated for an hour before finding him guilty of racially aggravated disorderly conduct. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 costs.

Mrs Rees told the court that she saw McGlynn shouting abuse at the traditionally-dressed Asian woman. She thought that she heard the words "Paki whore" and "Sieg Heil".

McGlynn was arrested and charged about a week later, but his victim never came forward and remains unknown.

Mrs Rees, who was stationary at a junction at the time, told the court: "He was shouting, his face was quite contorted with the effort he was putting in. To me it appeared that he was being venomous. His face appeared quite contorted."

She added: "But I could not swear to the words I did hear."

McGlynn, who was arrested a week after the offence, told the court that he had no recollection of the incident, which happened as he took his car for an MoT test. After his arrest he had been given several opportunities to make a statement but had refused to speak.

He said: "Basically, I do not remember anything about that morning. I am completely surprised about how this case came about. I believe she is mistaken, that is all. I just took my car to the garage for an MoT and that was that."

He said that he had refused to answer questions after his arrest because he had felt intimidated. He added: "I thought I was safer saying nothing."

Emma Smith, for the prosecution, said to McGlynn: "I'm going to suggest to you that what she heard and saw was correct, that you were making gestures out of the window and were shouting 'Sieg Heil'. She heard you shouting and gesturing because that is what you did."

McGlynn replied: "I have told you this was a complete surprise to me."

Mrs Smith added: "It is the case that you quite simply hid behind your right to make no comment because if you had told the truth about what happened on that day, quite obviously you would be guilty."

"No," McGlynn said.

The magistrates said that Mrs Rees's evidence had been compelling and McGlynn's less so because of his refusal to say anything at the time of his arrest. That led them to conclude that he was guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

After the case, McGlynn, who is unemployed, single and lives with his mother, said: "I was hung, drawn and quartered before I even set foot in court.

"This is a crime without a victim with evidence from someone who admitted they didn't really hear what was happening and who had already had an award for reporting the case before she stepped into court.

"I am completely innocent and it worries me what is happening in Britain today.

"You have mad mullahs preaching death and destruction in our streets and nothing is done while law-abiding people can be convicted of nothing more than driving their car with the window open."