Patrick Ruane Encourages Violence Against Vaccine Developers
- Patrick Ruane was sentenced to five years in prison for encouraging terrorism through social media posts.
- His messages targeted individuals involved in vaccine development and were described as extremely dangerous.
- Ruane's behavior stemmed from a compulsive mindset and frustration with COVID policies, leading to his conviction.
In a series of social media posts throughout 2021, Patrick Ruane expressed extreme anger towards COVID lockdown policies and the vaccine rollout. Ruane, 55, was convicted of two counts of encouraging terrorism at the Old Bailey, leading to a five-year prison sentence. After a trial, Judge Richard Marks KC criticized Ruane’s messages as dangerous, stating they reached a large audience and targeted high-profile individuals like Professor Chris Whitty. Ruane's mindset was noted to be compulsive and obsessive, often exacerbated by alcohol consumption. His posts included threats of violence and destruction against individuals and organizations related to COVID vaccines, showcasing his frustration and belief in conspiracy theories surrounding the pandemic. The court took these messages seriously, categorizing them as calls for violent action during a sensitive and volatile time in public health discourse.