Bigot in hate message post on PA Facebook Building plan fired up opposition
A hate-filled message was posted on the Perthshire Advertiser’s Facebook page after councillors backed controversial plans for a new mosque in Perth for the local Muslim community.
Perth Sheriff Court was told that 59-yearold Gavin Fowler had stated: “I would bring back Hitler to exterminate these vermin of the earth.”
The comment was branded “highly offensive and inflammatory” by Sheriff Derek Reekie.
And he has called for a background report on the accused, of Lumsden Crescent, Almondbank, before he decides his fate.
The content of the post was reported to the police and led to Fowler being charged with sending a “grossly offensive religious comment.”
He initially denied the charge and was
The SDL took to the streets of Perth in September last year to have faced trial on March 6. subsequently arrived in Perth in September,
But he changed his plea to guilty - and protesting against the planning bid by the will be sentenced on March 21 after a Perth Islamic Society to move from their Community Justice Social Work report has current site in Glasgow Road to a former been obtained. builder’s yard.
The council decision to give the green But the far right group was met by more light to the mosque, in the city’s Jeanfield than 1000 anti-fascist protesters. Road, sparked opposition from the Scottish Fowler, who was represented at the court Defence League. hearing by local solicitor Billy Somerville,
Around 50 far right supporters admitted sending the religiously prejudiced comment to the PA’s Facebook page from his home on August 4 last year.
He admitted that the message was grossly offensive or of an indecent, obscene or menacing character.
The charge indicated that the offence was “aggravated by religious prejudice.”
Depute fiscal Robbie Brown said the grant of planning consent for the mosque had prompted demonstrations by certain organisations.
After hearing the comment, Sheriff Reekie in view of the nature of the remarks, said he needed a report to “determine the appropriate disposal.”
Mr Somerville will give his plea in mitigation next month. Fowler had his bail continued meantime. A spokesperson for Perth Against Racism, the group who organised the counterdemonstration against the SDL last year, said: “Unfortunately we live in a society in which some people feel that it is okay to make remarks and post comments on social media platforms that are racially abusive. Remarks and comments that would perhaps not be made face-to-face.
“Thankfully, because of the efforts of individuals, communities, and socially progressive groups such as Perth Against Racism, the state, the law, and the police are required to address online racial abuse. Perth Against Racism hopes that this case will make people think twice about posting racially-motivated abuse.”