Proceedings dropped in case of man alleged to have given “Nazi salute” in Harlow town centre
Crime / Sun 29th Dec 2024 at 10:37am
CRIMINAL proceedings against a man alleged to have given a “Nazi salute” at a peace rally in Harlow Town Centre have been dropped.
A rally organised by Stand Up to Racism was held by the Obelisk on Saturday August 12th.
The rally was held in a month when, across the country, there were far right riots and incidents of violence against immigrants.
During the rally, a man was caught on camera raising his right arm in the manner of a Nazi salute.
At the time, he was ushered away by the police officers present.
But there were concerns from a number of quarters and for a number of reasons, whether the apparent “advice given” was an appropriate action?
Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, was the spokesperson on public order for the National Police Chiefs’ Council and many of his statements back in August were rooted in what many would describe as a “zero-tolerance” approach to racism.
Advice given for an alleged Nazi salute, seemed to run counter to that.
A few days later, Essex Police defended their decision not to arrest a man.
An Essex Police spokesperson said: “Officers were at the scene of this incident and escorted a man away from the scene.
“He was not arrested but officers have noted his details and the incident has been recorded as a public order offence and an investigation is taking place”.
Some time later, Mark Sheppard, aged 63, of Netteswell Orchard, Harlow was charged with the following.
On August 10th, 2024 at Harlow, used threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour intending thereby to stir up racial hatred or, having regard to all the circumstances, whereby racial hatred was likely to be stirred up.
He was scheduled to appear at Colchester magistrates court on December 3rd.
However, the case was withdrawn.
We asked the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for a statement.
A CPS spokesperson said: “For the CPS to bring a prosecution there must be a realistic prospect of conviction based on the available evidence – having looked carefully at the evidence from this incident we concluded this was not the case.”
Seamus
2024-12-29 15:45:32
Some drunk old fart on his mobility scooter making a stupid gesture does not a racist make. In fact I would go as far to suggest had stand up to racism not been there, this event would never have happened. By default, Stand upto racism was a group that incited events. I would like some clarity from the police/councillors. When this group carries out such sillyness, do they require police or/and council permission ? Groups like this thrive on being divisionists whilst acting as though they are our saviours.
Tim
2024-12-29 16:59:19
Seamus - Just Google his name - You will see that is quite well known to the police and not the kind of guy that you’d like your daughter to have to deal with. The police acted appropriately here. What he did back then, even if he was just the village idiot, wouldn’t have been appropriate on any occasion - Imagine if he’d been on his way back from wherever he’d been when the Menorah installation was being switched on. Also, as the article says, these were times when thugs in towns just like Harlow, were attempting to burn down hotels and these people coming out and standing up and saying ‘not in my name’ and ‘not in my town’! They weren’t your usual protesters - They were the best of us!
Mack
2024-12-29 23:22:03
https://www.yourharlow.com/2020/10/13/harlow-man-charged-with-sexual-assault-and-possession-of-offensive-weapon/
Seamus
2024-12-30 00:28:44
Tim, I had googled his name and saw what an idiot he is. I can't help but notice that you glossed over the other points. Had the group who were not invited or permitted to protest, not been there, then he would not have reacted like that. . As to the comment about other towns, that is simply whataboutery, as was the Menorah comment non relevant, but is typical of those power trip groups who seek to divide us. Your group on that day, around 40? You have to ask given the town has a 93,300 population, just who does your group actually represent other than yourselves?
Phil Wilson
2024-12-30 07:07:46
Seamus has no idea what he's talking about. Ignore him. Defending racists is his thing it seems.
AB
2024-12-30 14:00:39
Shocking but not surprising that this fascist was let-off.
Seamus
2024-12-30 15:57:16
Phil, again with the diversion. I've already said the man was an idiot multiple times. I also asked if an uninvited, non approved grouping collective's presence had caused such a reaction? My own feeling is that it did as it was as equally provocative as the idiot saluting. I also asked why in a town of over ninety three thousand, did this group of 40 odd feel they were the chosen ones that people needed to listen too? again no answer. When you have such levels of arrogance as that group, then you can see why so few are interested in joining them. You also have to ask, just who are the intolerant ones, the idiot saluting, or the group that thinks unless you think as they do, you must be a racist?
Phil Wilson
2025-01-02 07:22:56
Seamus, they have a right to express their opinion and belief as a group. Being in an anti-racism rally doesn't make you a racist. That's absurd. If they hadn't been there the man would not have done the salute, sure. But if the diamonds laying on the table in a bank weren't secured does that mean they are therefore free to take? No. He had a choice, he made a choice - he made a hate gesture and should absolutely be charged. The fact it was dropped is just further evidence the police are lazy and cannot be bothered to do their jobs. After all they're too busy chasing racist tweets than they are the actual outward public ones. Irony.
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