This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/wales/5367258.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Race abuse conviction 'landmark' | Race abuse conviction 'landmark' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| An anti-racism body has described the conviction of a BNP member for racial abuse despite the victim not coming forward as a "landmark" case. | An anti-racism body has described the conviction of a BNP member for racial abuse despite the victim not coming forward as a "landmark" case. |
| Robert McGlynn, of Llansamlet, Swansea, was fined by Swansea magistrates for racially aggravated disorderly conduct after abusing an Asian woman. | Robert McGlynn, of Llansamlet, Swansea, was fined by Swansea magistrates for racially aggravated disorderly conduct after abusing an Asian woman. |
| The woman was never traced but witness Lydia Rees reported the incident. | The woman was never traced but witness Lydia Rees reported the incident. |
| Taha Idris, of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council, praised police and the courts for taking up the case. | Taha Idris, of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council, praised police and the courts for taking up the case. |
| McGlynn, 40, was convicted after the only witness to the incident, Lydia Rees, saw him shouting abuse at a traditionally-clothed Asian woman in the Hafod area of Swansea on 13 June 2006. | |
| Mrs Rees, 43, told magistrates she was shocked to hear him shout "Sieg Heil" and other abuse at the woman through his open car window. | Mrs Rees, 43, told magistrates she was shocked to hear him shout "Sieg Heil" and other abuse at the woman through his open car window. |
| She told the court: "He was shouting. To me it appeared that he was being venomous. His face appeared quite contorted." | She told the court: "He was shouting. To me it appeared that he was being venomous. His face appeared quite contorted." |
| I would congratulate this woman for being strong and coming forward Taha Idris, Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council | I would congratulate this woman for being strong and coming forward Taha Idris, Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council |
| She added: "But I could not swear to the words I did hear." | She added: "But I could not swear to the words I did hear." |
| Mrs Rees followed McGlynn, took down his registration and reported him to the police. | Mrs Rees followed McGlynn, took down his registration and reported him to the police. |
| McGlynn was arrested and charged a week later but his victim never came forward and remains unknown. | McGlynn was arrested and charged a week later but his victim never came forward and remains unknown. |
| McGlynn, who denied the charge, told the court that Mrs Rees was mistaken in what she thought she saw. | McGlynn, who denied the charge, told the court that Mrs Rees was mistaken in what she thought she saw. |
| He said: "Basically, I do not remember anything about that morning. I am completely surprised about how this case came about. | He said: "Basically, I do not remember anything about that morning. I am completely surprised about how this case came about. |
| "I believe she [Mrs Rees] is mistaken, that is all. I just took my car to the garage for an MOT and that was that." | "I believe she [Mrs Rees] is mistaken, that is all. I just took my car to the garage for an MOT and that was that." |
| Emma Smith, prosecuting, said to McGlynn: "I'm going to suggest to you that what she heard and saw was correct, that you were making gestures out of the window and were shouting 'Sieg Heil'. | Emma Smith, prosecuting, said to McGlynn: "I'm going to suggest to you that what she heard and saw was correct, that you were making gestures out of the window and were shouting 'Sieg Heil'. |
| "She heard you shouting and gesturing because that is what you did." | "She heard you shouting and gesturing because that is what you did." |
| Convicting McGlynn, magistrates said that Mrs Rees' evidence had been "compelling". | Convicting McGlynn, magistrates said that Mrs Rees' evidence had been "compelling". |
| McGlynn was fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 costs. | McGlynn was fined £200 and ordered to pay £200 costs. |
| Mrs Rees was given South Wales Police's community safety volunteer of the year award earlier this summer for her actions. | Mrs Rees was given South Wales Police's community safety volunteer of the year award earlier this summer for her actions. |
| 'Credible witness' | 'Credible witness' |
| Mr Idris, director of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council: "It's a landmark in the sense that there's no victim, but on the evidence of the witness the case was taken up by the police and courts. | Mr Idris, director of Swansea Bay Racial Equality Council: "It's a landmark in the sense that there's no victim, but on the evidence of the witness the case was taken up by the police and courts. |
| "The witness was credible and the criminal justice system believed she was credible. | "The witness was credible and the criminal justice system believed she was credible. |
| "I would congratulate this woman for being strong and coming forward. She's seen it as her duty as a citizen. | "I would congratulate this woman for being strong and coming forward. She's seen it as her duty as a citizen. |
| "I would ask other people to do the same - without witnesses cases like this fall apart." | "I would ask other people to do the same - without witnesses cases like this fall apart." |