Bolton man jailed for terrorism offences

A man from Bolton has been sentenced to four years in prison with one year extended license period after pleading guilty to various charges relating to attempts to stir up racial hatred, including offences under the Terrorism Act.

In May 2021, Robert Taylor went to a car boot sale in Tyldesley and filmed himself approaching a Jewish man and verbally abusing him with antisemitic comments and handed out material containing similar information.

Over the following months, he stuck up antisemitic posters up in public places around Bolton and stuck white supremacy stickers to street signs. He also shared a propaganda video featuring a proscribed organisation.

He posted on social media, bragging about his activity and also posted antisemitic, racist, homophobic, and transphobic content.

The 42-year-old will be subject Serious Crime Prevention Order for a period of five ears after release.

The charges he pleaded guilty to include: four counts of distributing written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting with the intent thereby to stir up racial hatred or where, having regard to all the circumstances, racial hatred was likely to be stirred up, contrary to section 19(1) Public Order Act 1986; two counts of distributing recordings of visual images which were threatening, abusive or insulting with the intent thereby to stir up racial hatred or where, having regard to all the circumstances, racial hatred was likely to be stirred up, contrary to section 21(1) Public Order Act 1986; and one count of displaying written material which was threatening, abusive or insulting with the intent thereby to stir up racial hatred or where, having regard to all the circumstances, racial hatred was likely to be stirred up, contrary to section 18(1) Public Order Act 1986.

Head of investigations for Counter Terrorism Policing North West, Detective Superintendent Ben Cottam said: “Robert Taylor’s actions over the time leading up to his arrest are nothing short of sickening.

“He subjected innocent people to vile antisemitic abuse, including a family with two young children who were enjoying a day out. Not content with abusing people in person, he attempted to spread his ignorant views wider by putting up posters, handing out leaflets and scrawling graffiti on walls in public places.

“Taylor would then brag about his exploits on social media and use it as a platform to share more antisemitic, racist, homophobic, and transphobic content. On one occasion he even shared a propaganda video for a proscribed organisation on social media and was later found to have sent a similar video to somebody directly.

“I’m grateful to the Community Security Trust for reporting Taylor’s online activity to police, and I hope today’s outcome sends a clear message that we are prepared to act decisively on reports such as these. Ignorance like that shown by Taylor has no place in society and, working alongside key partners such as the CST, we will continue to support communities targeted by abuse and ensure those responsible face the consequences of their actions.”