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Aristocrat in court over allegedly racist Facebook posts Aristocrat in court over allegedly racist Facebook post about Gina Miller
(35 minutes later)
An aristocrat has appeared in court charged with writing menacing Facebook posts about the Brexit campaigner Gina Miller and a Cameroonian man.An aristocrat has appeared in court charged with writing menacing Facebook posts about the Brexit campaigner Gina Miller and a Cameroonian man.
Rhodri Philipps, the 4th Viscount St Davids, wore a tweed gilet over a navy suit as he appeared at Westminster magistrates court and refused to stand in the dock when addressed as Mr St Davids, only rising when addressed as Lord St Davids.Rhodri Philipps, the 4th Viscount St Davids, wore a tweed gilet over a navy suit as he appeared at Westminster magistrates court and refused to stand in the dock when addressed as Mr St Davids, only rising when addressed as Lord St Davids.
Philipps pleaded not guilty to three charges of sending malicious communications under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.Philipps pleaded not guilty to three charges of sending malicious communications under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003.
One of the charges related to a Facebook post written on 7 November last year about Miller, who successfully challenged the government over its plan to give notice to leave the EU without an act of parliament. Philipps allegedly wrote: “£5,000 to the first person to ‘accidentally’ run over this bloody troublesome first-generation immigrant … If this is what we should expect from immigrants, send them back to their stinking jungles.”One of the charges related to a Facebook post written on 7 November last year about Miller, who successfully challenged the government over its plan to give notice to leave the EU without an act of parliament. Philipps allegedly wrote: “£5,000 to the first person to ‘accidentally’ run over this bloody troublesome first-generation immigrant … If this is what we should expect from immigrants, send them back to their stinking jungles.”
The prosecutor, Kate Mulholland, said the crown would seek enhanced sentences because the posts were racially aggravated.The prosecutor, Kate Mulholland, said the crown would seek enhanced sentences because the posts were racially aggravated.
Philipps spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and to plead not guilty. He laughed and mouthed “wanker” when deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram prohibited him from contacting Matthew Steeples, who first reported the post to police, as a condition of granting him bail. He is also prevented from contacting Miller.Philipps spoke to confirm his name, date of birth and address and to plead not guilty. He laughed and mouthed “wanker” when deputy senior district judge Tan Ikram prohibited him from contacting Matthew Steeples, who first reported the post to police, as a condition of granting him bail. He is also prevented from contacting Miller.
The trial will be held at Westminster magistrates court on 10 July and is expected to last a day.The trial will be held at Westminster magistrates court on 10 July and is expected to last a day.