Welsh woman guilty of anti-english rant

A WELSH pensioner has been convicted of a racism offence after she told her English neighbour to “go back where you came from” during a row over parking.

Ellen Jones, 66, branded Ben Mclean a “dirty immigrant” while shouting at him in Carno, Powys, where they both live.

Jones was found guilty of using racially aggravated language and threatening and abusive words towards Mr Mclean. Welshpool magistrates heard the pair had been neighbours for five years.

Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Jones was Welsh and Mr Mclean was born in England. She said: “Mr Mclean and his family had received the abuse from Jones over a period of three years after a parking dispute, but had tried to stay on good terms.” Then Jones yelled at him to “go back to where you came from, you dirty immigrant”.

Mr Mclean said he found the remarks offensive and they made his wife anxious. On another occasion, Jones was alleged to have shouted about

“foreigners coming to this country, moving into our houses”.

Mr Mclean said: “I am worried about the effect on the children who are already scared of her. I dread coming home from work in case she’s at the door. We shouldn’t have to live like that.”

Paul Inns, defending, said his client did not accept her behaviour amounted to an offence and would be appealing her conviction.

Jones was given an 18-month restraining order, an 18-month community order and a £262 fine. She will also pay £620 costs and a £90 victim surcharge.