Birmingham man jailed for racist Telegram posts during riots

Ehsan Hussain, a 25-year-old man of Pakistani descent, was sentenced to two years and four months in prison for sending racist messages on the messaging app Telegram. Using the alias Chris Nolan, he targeted a group with nearly 12,500 members, aiming to incite violence against areas in Birmingham with significant Muslim populations. His messages, sent during a period of civil unrest on August 5, included racial slurs and calls to 'take back what's ours.' The court highlighted that Hussain's actions were intended to provoke violence and that he was aware of the potential consequences of his messages. Following his posts, violence erupted in the targeted neighborhoods, leading to attacks on a pub and a coach, as well as disruptions to emergency services. The judge noted that Hussain's messages contributed to a climate of fear and division, exacerbating tensions in the community. During the sentencing, Hussain expressed deep remorse for his actions, which his defense described as a significant lapse in judgment. The judge emphasized the role of social media in spreading hatred and inciting violence, particularly in the context of the riots that followed the tragic murder of three girls in Southport. Hussain will serve half of his sentence in prison and the remainder on license. Additionally, the court ordered the destruction of the phone used to disseminate the hateful messages, underscoring the seriousness of his offenses and the need to deter similar behavior in the future.