First person from Wales convicted for encouraging widespread unrest online
Williams became the first person from Wales to be convicted and sentenced for offences associated with recent disorder after pleading guilty
Last updated 9th Aug 2024
A social media user who encouraged an online community to start a riot has become the first person from Wales to be convicted in relation to the recent unrest.
Richard Williams, 34, of Flintshire, Wales, enthusiastically posted about participating in a riot and also shared a derogatory meme about migrants in a local Facebook group dedicated to protests.
Williams became the first person from Wales to be convicted and sentenced for offences associated with recent disorder after pleading guilty to one count of sending menacing messages via a public communication network at Mold Magistrates' Court.
Williams was arrested after police officers identified him as the man behind the online activity, and he was arrested on Wednesday August 7, 2024.
He was charged by the CPS within 24 hours, and was convicted the following day of sending menacing messages.
On Friday August 9, 2024, Williams was sentenced to three months imprisonment at Mold Magistrates' Court.
Jenny Hopkins, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Cymru/Wales, said:
“Williams wrongly thought that he could spread derogatory and menacing content from behind a computer screen.
"Despite not taking part in unrest himself, he used social media to encourage others to engage in violent behaviour.
“I hope today’s result sends a clear message to those using the Internet to sow division - your actions have consequences and you will be prosecuted.”