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Carlisle man held over offensive online comments

The exterior of Carlisle Magistrates' Court. It is a two-storey yellow brick building.Image source, Google
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The defendant appeared at Carlisle Magistrates' Court on Friday

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A 40-year-old man has been remanded in custody after pleading not guilty to posting racially aggravated comments on a podcast.

The defendant, from Carlisle, denied one charge of sending a communication or article of indecent or offensive nature.

It is alleged he that he posted two videos on YouTube in which he is said to have made "grossly offensive comments", including a reference to "grooming gangs".

Prosecutor George Shelley said the comments were "particularly inflammatory" in the context of disturbances taking place across the UK.

He is one of several men prosecuted across Cumbria in the wake of police mounting an operation in response to potential planned disorder.

After hearing submissions, district judge John McGarva sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court.

The defendant will appear there for a preliminary hearing on Monday and has been remanded in custody until then.

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