Homeless church-goer sent racist messages to pastor

A HOMELESS church-goer talked about “killing a neo-nazi” in a string of racist and offensive messages sent to a pastor who was trying to help him, a court heard.

The pastor first met Caileb Richardson in December 2015 when a sleep-in was organised for the homeless. He started attending church and the pastor gave him his number as well as those of other members of the church.

But then the offensive messages started.

Richardson, 23, of Radford Road, Radford, also talked about killing somebody and himself.

Other members of the church were receiving similar messages from Richardson, Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday.

Richardson said: “I’m going to destroy you when I’m unbanned.” This was a reference to being banned from the church’s Facebook group.

The pastor said the incident left him feeling very concerned and worried about the defendant’s extreme right-wing views and of what he could be capable of.

In a police interview, Richardson admitted sending the messages to the pastor with the intent of making the pastor distressed, hurt and paranoid.

He said he was drunk when he sent the messages and that he used to hold extremist beliefs but did not anymore.

In mitigation, Susan Gregsonmurray said: “He is thoroughly ashamed at his behaviour.

“He knows the text messages he sent were unpleasant.

“Yes, they were racist, and they would have caused distress.”

He now has a home and was working as a picker and packer in a warehouse.

Richardson pleaded guilty to sending the pastor Whatsapp and text messages which conveyed a message which was indecent or grossly offensive for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient between March 24, and July 3, 2020.

He received 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and 18 rehabilitation activity days.

He was ordered to pay £85 costs, a £122 victim surcharge and £100 compensation to the pastor.