A SOLIHULL ‘white supremacist’ has been jailed after sharing extremist views online.
Richard Osborne from Marston Green admitted he posted material online to stir up racial hatred as well as supporting a far-right banned terrorism group online.
West Midlands Police said from 2021 and up to his arrest in January this year, the 53-year-old used social media to post material which strongly indicated his support of white supremacy and neo-Nazi views.
Following his arrest, his property was searched where a baton was found in his car which had been adapted from a metal bar and he was charged with possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
At his home, a shotgun was found under a bed where he was also charged with possession without a license.
He pleaded guilty to all the offences in court last month and on Monday (June 12) Osborne was handed a three year and 10 months sentence to two counts of publishing material intended to provoke racial hatred and homophobia.
Detective Superintendent Anastasia Miller, from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands Counter Terrorism Unit, said: “By pleading guilty, Osborne admitted he held extreme far right views and through our investigation we were able to provide clear evidence he supported white supremacists as well as a proscribed far right group banned by the Government.
“Someone who holds extreme views against those that don’t look like him or hold the same views is not welcome in our society.
“The sentence should be a clear message to those who intend to spread hate and terror, we will continue to work with partners and the Crown Prosecution Service to protect our communities by pursuing and prosecuting such individuals.
“We work tirelessly to counter terrorism. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the West Midlands area.”
Anyone who sees or hears something that doesn’t seem right, trust your instincts and act by reporting to police in confidence here or call 999 in an emergency.
