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
Victory for ex-gay Christian who was prosecuted in Malta over 'conversion therapy' comments
Victory for ex-gay Christian who was prosecuted in Malta over 'conversion therapy' comments

It marks the end of a three-year legal battle for Matthew Grech who has been found not guilty of “advertising conversion practices” in Malta.

Turkey should be placed on Special Watch List for barring foreign Christians, says US body
Turkey should be placed on Special Watch List for barring foreign Christians, says US body

Both US and EU institutions have raised concerns about the issue.

The prayer booklet connecting with sceptics
The prayer booklet connecting with sceptics

Christian Today speaks to Emma Weaver of trypraying to hear about how a simple prayer guide is engaging even more non-Christians in prayer for the first time.

Great British Bake Off champion gifts cake to Archbishop of Canterbury
Great British Bake Off champion gifts cake to Archbishop of Canterbury

The Archbishop of Canterbury has been presented with a commemorative cake by a recent winner of The Great British Bake Off.