Man sentenced for showing support for a proscribed organisation

A Huddersfield man has been sentenced to an 18-month Community Order; 100 hours unpaid work and rehabilitation activity, for showing support for a proscribed organisation and posting grossly offensive messages on Twitter.

In September, William Loyd-Hughes (17/03/96) was arrested by officers from Counter Terrorism Policing North East.

Loyd-Hughes was serving member of police staff in West Yorkshire at the time the offences were committed, in August and September 2022. An investigation was directed by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following a mandatory referral from West Yorkshire Police.

It was found that the 27-year-old had used disguised Twitter accounts to share Extreme Right Wing views with his followers and a racist hashtag to promote them to a wider online audience.

He pleaded guilty to publishing images in support of a proscribed organisation - the Ulster Defence Association - and improper use of an electronic communications network.

Detective Chief Superintendent James Dunkerley, Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East, said: “Sharing extremist views and propaganda are serious offences and we will always seek to prosecute those responsible, irrespective of their occupation or background.

“This is particularly important when those involved occupy positions of trust. There is no place for such deeply offensive views anywhere in our society, but particularly in policing.

“Tackling extremist material online is an essential part of protecting the public and preventing offences that may encourage extremism, fuel community tensions, or motivate others to act."

Image by Thomas Ulrich from Pixabay