MP Abused By Man On Trial For Alleged Anti-Semitic Abuse

A proponent of antisemitic propaganda branded an MP a "rodent" and an "evil money-grabber" on his blog, a court has heard. 

Joshua Bonehill-Paine, from Yeovil in Somerset, harrased Luciana Berger, the Labour Cooperative MP for Liverpool Wavertree, online for four months.

Bonehill-Paine, aged 23, welcomed being charged with racially aggravated harrasment because of the attendant publicity.

He has a previous conviction for describing people as paedophiles on Twitter.

Between Ocober 2014 and January 2-15, he posted five abusive articles attacking Berger, a court at Old Bailey in London heard.

On being charged, he said: "I am really pleased. This gives me an opportunity to be found not guilty, hopefully at a full Crown Court trial, with the media that will bring."

Bonehill-Paine blamed Berger for the jailing of Garron Helm, sentenced to four weeks after pleading guilty to sending a malicious communication by tweeting a picture of Berger with a Star of David on her forehead accompanied and the words "#Hitler was right".

Philip Stott, prosecuting, said: "The common ideology which so stirred Mr Bonehill-Paine is one of fierce antisemitism.

"Throughout the articles … Ms Berger is referred to by Mr Bonehill-Paine as, for example, a rodent, as evil, a money-grabber, a dominatrix and responsible for the death of Jesus.

"Repulsive as they may be to you and me, I understand that Mr Bonehill-Paine is not likely to dispute that he made these remarks."

The case continues. Bonehill-Paine is expected to argue his posts were reasonable in the circumstances and fell within bounds of free speech and freedom of political expression.

News
The story of New Year’s resolutions
The story of New Year’s resolutions

1 January is when people traditionally start the new year with a fresh resolution. This is the story …

Young people more grateful to God, study finds
Young people more grateful to God, study finds

A new survey has suggested that 18 to 34 year olds are more likely to believe in God and have transcendental experiences.

Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians
Nigerian government accused of being in denial about persecution of Christians

How can thousands of slain Christians not be persecution?

Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims
Turkey arrested 115 suspected ISIS members, thwarting Christmas and New Year plots against non-Muslims

Turkey has been relatively successful in preventing attacks since 2017.