NF candidate 'never swore' court told

Lorna Marsh | Tuesday, 24 October 2006 Source: EDP24

A 75-year-old National Front activist accused of hurling racist abuse at a Norfolk woman had never been known to swear, a fellow member told a jury today.

Thomas Holmes, of Reynolds Avenue, Caister, denies racially aggravated harassment during an incident that took place while he leafleted homes as part of his campaign for election on to Yarmouth Borough Council.

Norwich Crown Court previously heard he told Greek Cypriot Helen Kikis and her nephew, Kyriacos Constantino, to "go home to Pakistan", swore violently at her and made crude references.

But Holmes claimed Mrs Kikis, who was at the home of her friend Despina Segiou in Albion Road, Yarmouth, was "verbally abusive" to him after finding the leaflet he had dropped through the letterbox.

He said she came out of the house in a matter of seconds and shouted at him, asking how he dared post such "rubbish".

Holmes said: "I told her I am a candidate for this ward, this is the way we do things in this country, if you don't like it why don't you go back to where you came from."

But he said he spoke to her in a "normal tone of voice" and did not swear or use any abusive language.

Under cross examination Holmes told the court he "perceived" Mrs Kikis to be an immigrant of possibly eastern European origin.

He said: "People like that are running this country down but are quite happy enough to live here and take advantage of it."

When he was asked who he meant he said "any immigrants" adding "you see it in the papers every day" and when asked for examples he said "the Muslim affair".

Holmes also said that he was unaware of another alleged incident which took place five minutes later involving three people who had, the prosecution claimed, returned to the house to ask Mrs Kikis if she wanted another leaflet.

Fellow National Front member Stuart Hollingdale, who had travelled from Kent to help with the leafleting, said he had witnessed the first incident but had only heard about the alleged second one.

He told the court Mrs Kikis was "very agitated and angry" but that Holmes remained calm.

"Thomas is a very polite man and kept his cool and explained the situation to the lady in between her shouting when he could get a word in."

Mr Hollingdale added that party members were always very careful to be tactful to people who might not agree with their views adding: "I have never heard Thomas Holmes swear."

Holmes gained 345 votes at the May local elections, fewer than 200 short of Valerie Pettit, who won the seat for Labour. He has stood in various elections in the past and has even contested Parliamentary seats.

The trial continues.