Curfew for Norfolk NF activist

| Thursday, 23 November 2006 Source: EDP24

A 76-year-old "bitter" National Front activist who hurled "gratuitous, ignorant and hurtful" racial abuse while canvassing for votes during a borough council election was yesterday given a six-month curfew.

Thomas Holmes, of Reynolds Avenue, Caister, swore and shouted "go home to Pakistan" to a woman of Greek Cypriot origin while delivering National Front leaflets in the Albion Road area of Yarmouth in April.

Helen Kikis had asked him not to post the leaflets to her home again, and felt angry, intimidated and upset by his response.

Holmes denied racially aggravated harassment and was convicted following a trial last month, when he was warned by Judge Daniel Worsley that he could face a suspended prison sentence, a community punishment or fine, or both.

Benedict Peers, mitigating for Holmes at Norwich Crown Court today , said the pensioner had high cholesterol and had experienced a stroke.

The court also heard he needed to go to appointments with his doctor during the week, and a financial penalty was not suitable as he lived on benefits.

Sentencing Holmes, Judge Daniel Worsley said he had initially made non-criminal comments advising Mrs Kikis to leave the country if she did not like its political system, but he then swore and made "outrageous and criminal" remarks which were "ignorant, gratuitous and hurtful".

"It is sad to see a 76-year-old with no previous convictions in the dock, even though you are bitter and have shown no remorse or understanding," he said.

"I have said that I am not going to send you to prison but you need to be punished for this and be seen to be punished.

"I could sentence you to unpaid, free work in the community along with younger criminals and a fine of some two or three thousand pounds, and an order that you pay costs, but you're neither fit enough for the work and you are on income support so there is not really any money the court can take from you.

"So, instead, I will impose a curfew simply as a punishment - a home imprisonment order as I will call it."

Holmes must reside at home between 10am and 10pm on Saturdays and Sundays for six months.

The public gallery was packed with more than a dozen supporters, some of whom reacted with audible anger during the sentencing.

As Judge Worsley retired, one shouted "three cheers for Tommy", which was followed by loud applause and another shouting "the fight will go on".