BNP member loses racial abuse appeal

| Friday, 5 January 2007 Source: icWales

An anti-racism body today welcomed a judge's decision to throw out an appeal by a British National Party member against his conviction for racially abusing an Asian woman.

Robert McGlynn, 40, of Llansamlet, Swansea, south Wales, was found guilty by city magistrates in September last year of racially aggravated disorderly conduct.

It was a unique case in which the victim was absent and completely unknown.

The sole witness against him, Swansea receptionist Lydia Rees, had told the court in 2006 that she was shocked to hear McGlynn shout what she took to be "Paki whore" and "Sieg Heil" at the woman through his open car window.

Mrs Rees, who won a prestigious police award for her actions, said she followed him to a nearby garage in her own car, took down his registration and reported him to the police.

McGlynn had told the magistrates that Mrs Rees was mistaken in what she thought she saw and heard.

He appealed against the conviction, but Judge John Diehl QC, sitting at Swansea Crown Court yesterday, upheld the magistrates' verdict.

Taha Idris, director of the Swansea Bay Race Equality Council, said today: "I would appeal for the criminal justice system throughout the UK to follow this example and follow through cases of people who go about racially abusing others in the street.

"People need to realise this racist abuse will not be tolerated.

"This is also a prime example of different communities feeling they are part of one community. It doesn't matter who you are, if you abhor racism you will report it.

"I want to pay my compliments to Lydia Rees, who came forward without the injured party present."

McGlynn was ordered to pay £140 prosecution costs for the appeal on top of the £200 fine and £200 costs originally imposed at Swansea Magistrates' Court.