Carlisle man jailed for racist online rants
Derek Haggie posted on YouTube whilst riots were ongoing across the UK
Last updated 13th Dec 2024
A title-winning bare-knuckle boxer turned actor and podcast host from Carlisle has been handed a prison sentence for racist online rants at a time when riots raged across the UK.
Derek “Decca” Heggie, 41, made a series of highly offensive claims and comments during two videos which were posted on his YouTube channel on 3rd and 7th August this year.
Prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court these were “in whole or in part of an offensive nature”.
“All of this was done, as he expressly recognises in one of his posts, against the background of the riots going on up and down the country following the tragic stabbing of the young girls in Southport on 29th July, 2024.”
Although there was violence in other areas of the UK, no significant disorder was reported to have occurred in Cumbria.
Control orders were put in place in the county, however, and two men from West Cumbria were jailed for sharing offensive material on Facebook.
Heggie was arrested and interviewed by police in early August.
When brought to court, Heggie initially denied a charge he faced. Earlier this month, he admitted an offence or sending communication of an offensive nature. This was brought under the Malicious Communications Act.
Tariq Khawam, mitigating today, spoke of Heggie’s mental health issues and branded his offences “stupid”.
“He has had time to reflect while in custody (on remand),” said Mr Khawam.
“He knows what he did was wrong, ill-informed and potentially dangerous.”
Judge Nicholas Barker noted that Heggie, of Welsh Road, Carlisle, had not been charged with an “incitement” offence.
“What was clear in your mind was that these statements were to have a broad reach, and to be read and heard by many,” said the judge.
“That’s what you hoped for. That’s what you believed.”
“You did so at a time of great unrest and concern. It is clear the messages were intended by you to be grossly offensive, particularly to those of a Muslim faith,” added Judge Barker.
“You knew why you were doing it. You knew when you were doing it.”
Heggie — remanded in custody since August — was given a 46-week jail term and told by the judge this meant he would serve 40 per cent of that behind bars.