Telford race attack victim: Sentences should act as warning to others
A Telford mobile phone shop owner has welcomed the sentences handed to two members of far-right group Britain First for hurling racist insults at him.
Staff were left terrified after the group produced a video that highlighted an Islamic symbol on the shop front, that was shared about 5,000 times on social media accusing the store, Silicon Valley, in New Street, Wellington, of using a symbol of terrorist group Isis.
Jason Stanyard, 37, and Simon Humphreys, 50, were among a group of seven to visit the Silicon Valley store ahead of the group's march at Telford Central on February 25.
They told the stunned Asian owner to “return to his country” and take his “sick book”,the Koran, with him.
The pair also wrongly accused Azhar Hussain and a customer of being paedophiles during the incident on January 28.
Today Mr Hussain said: "We are very happy with the sentences given to these two men.
"We hope that the decision by the court will serve as a warning to others that it is not okay to hurl racist abuse at people because they look different or follow a different faith.
"We are still getting people like them shouting unpleasant things when they pass by and comments being made on social media."
Stanyard, of Shaw Hedge Road, Bewdley, was jailed for a total of 12 weeks jail suspended for a year, given 20 rehabilitation days, put on curfew for 12 weeks and ordered to pay £215.
Humphreys, of Vernier Avenue, Kingswinford, was sentenced to a 12-week community order, 66 hours unpaid work, 20 rehabilitation days and ordered to pay £390.
Although the Arabic symbol in question does appear on the Isis flag, the terrorist group has appropriated the image, which is around 1,500 years old, and used it as part of its standard.
Silicon Valley has used the image on the frontage for the past 13 years, before the creation of Isis.
It is a replica of the seal the Prophet Muhammad would use on letters he sent out to foreign dignitaries. It states three words translated as ‘God’s messenger Muhammad’.
