Man jailed for shouting racial abuse in Widnes
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A man has been jailed after shouting racial abuse during the period of national disorder following the recent murders in Southport.
John Lefevre has been jailed for six months for racially aggravated intentional harassment.
The 35-year-old, of Albert Road, Widnes, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 24 September where he was handed his sentence.
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On Monday 5 August, during a period of disorder across the country, Cheshire Police received a call reporting a man was shouting racial abuse at people outside a place of worship in Peel House Lane, Widnes.
At 9.30am members of the public were gathered outside the church when Lefevre approached them in an aggressive manner and started recording them on his phone.
He began shouting various racial remarks and verbal abuse at people in the vicinity, many of whom were asylum seekers waiting for the church to open to seek help with paperwork and clothing.
Lefevre was subsequently found and arrested nearby. He was identified from footage of the incident and was ultimately charged. Lefevre also filmed the event himself, leaving him with no choice but to plead guilty.
Following the sentencing, Chief Inspector Daniel Haddock said:
“When the disorder started in August in other areas of the UK, we were clear that we would not tolerate that kind of behaviour in Cheshire.
“Lefevre’s actions were powered by the national disorder, and he chose to target innocent people going about their daily lives outside a place of worship.
“The sentence imposed upon him should serve as a strong reminder of how serious these crimes are regarded, and robust action will be taken against anyone who chooses to behave in this manner.”