Three Muslim men from Derby have become the first people to be found guilty inciting hatred on the grounds of sexuality after distributing leaflets suggesting violent ways to kill gay people.

In the landmark case the jury at Derby crown court ruled that Ihjaz Ali, Kabir Ahmed and Razwan Javed had breached hate crime legislation. They had handed out leaflets outside the Jama mosque, in Rosehill Street, Derby, in July 2010 and also putting them through nearby letterboxes.

Stonewall has welcomed the conviction of three men in Derby for stirring up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation. The men found guilty of the offence following a trial at Derby Crown Court, having distributed leaflets featuring a catalogue of threatening material in July 2010.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall Chief Executive, said: ‘We’re satisfied to see these extremists convicted for distributing offensive and inflammatory leaflets that suggested gay people should be burnt or stoned to death. This case vindicates Stonewall’s long fight to secure specific legal protection for gay people against incitement to hatred. Witnesses told the court they felt threatened and deeply fearful in their own homes. People from all communities will feel safer knowing that the law now makes it harder to stir up hatred and violence against gay people.’

The Criminal Justice and Immigration Act 2008 came into force in 2010 has made it an offence to stir up hatred on the grounds of sexual orientation.

Religion