A painter and decorator who branded Muslims ‘s**t-stinking paedos’ before calling for all mosques to be burned and for ‘bacon to be cooked on the ashes’ has been jailed for 20 months.
Paul Shelton, 51 years old, from High Peak, Derbyshire posted the ‘utterly disgusting’ posts on a private Facebook page, Derby Crown Court heard.
Shelton, who went by the pseudonym Pedro Smokey and described Muslims as “dirty” and “twisted”, regularly spew his hateful views.
According to his defense counsel, he discovered that he had a half-Iraqi grandchild who he “spoilsrotten” – which his lawyer claimed was an ironic silver lining. Derbyshire Live.
Shelton admitted to publishing material that could incite hatred of religion.
Judge Shaun Smith, QC, sentenced him to 20 months imprisonment.
“This is something that no right-thinking individual would consider to be other than abhorrent.
Paul Shelton, 51, from High Peak in Derbyshire used an anonymous account on social media to publish ‘utterly vulgar’ posts on a Facebook group. The Derby Crown Court was notified.
The internet is an amazing thing that has provided many advantages for our society.
“The problem is, however that it allows individuals to spread hate towards sections of society.
“Your opinions showed hostility towards Muslims. I cannot accept that your views were drunken rants.
You posted anonymously about an EDL protest (English Defence League) outside Didsbury Paedo Cult Hall. In which you stated that everyone should “burn it down” and “cook their bacon on its ashes”.
“You demanded that Islam be made a ‘completely illegal’ in the country and suggested that all Muslims in the country should be burned.
Jennifer Joseph was the prosecutor. She said that after an investigation ended in 2018, police learned of anti-Muslim comments made by a Facebook user called ‘Pedro Smokey’.
Ms Joseph stated that these vile diatribes were uploaded to an open-access group called The Realist People Movement.
Shelton wrote in his first posting: “We must burn all mosques within our country. What say you?” This post received support messages from other internet users.
Ms Joseph said a second posting branded Muslims ‘dirty, twisted, s***-stinking, paedos’ and contained a racially offensive term towards Asian people.
She stated that the prosecution would not allow her to say that these messages were outlandish and a result of a drunken error.
He was not cooperative when he was being interviewed.
“He refused to reveal his Facebook password to the police and, when asked by Pedro Smokey, he replied: “Are You Pedro Smokey?” He replied, “I cannot answer that question.”
Shelton, who went by the pseudonym Pedro Smokey (Pictured at Derby Crown Court).
Shelton had no convictions before and pleaded guilty for two counts publishing material which would encourage religious hatred.
Richard Orme, an aggravating party, stated that Shelton, who was arrested, has been reunited since then with his daughter, now living in Iraq. The couple also have a child together, which makes him a grandfather.
Orme stated that it was a wonderful and ironic silver lining to the fact that Mr Orme adored his half-Iraqi grandson and spoils him rotten.
“There was a lot water under the bridge. This is three and-a-half-years old. He is now a new person who does not agree with those views.
“He is a good Muslim.
Shelton received also a five year criminal conduct order restricting his internet usage.
This means that he will have to give the passwords and details of his accounts on social media to the police, if required.