North Reddish man pleads guilty to inciting racial hatred on live stream outside hotel
The prosecutor said 32-year-old Aaron Johnson, who was arrested outside the hotel, had "exposed occupants of the hotel to a real danger"
Last updated 7th Aug 2024
A man has pleaded guilty to inciting racial hatred by using racist language on a live stream he broadcast to "millions of people" from outside a hotel which was thought to contain asylum seekers.
Aaron Johnson, 32, of Criterion Street, North Reddish, pleaded guilty at Manchester Magistrates' Court on Wednesday to distributing images intended to stir up racial hatred outside the hotel in Stockport on Monday.
Prosecutor Laura Peers told the court: "Members of staff became aware of the defendant live streaming from his mobile phone onto YouTube."
Ms Peers said Johnson "became aggressive to members of staff" at the hotel, adding that he told them "he would smash their face in".
The prosecutor said Johnson, who was arrested outside the hotel, had "exposed occupants of the hotel to a real danger".
She said the live stream had been "viewed by millions of people", adding "within the stream he repeatedly refers to migrants in a derogatory manner" and used racist language.
District Judge Jane Hamilton told Johnson: "You had no reason to attend the hotel where you were live streaming. You were taking pictures through the windows where people were trying to sleep.
"You also made reference to the children who were unfortunately murdered in Southport - that had nothing to do with asylum seekers or anything else. The man who did that was born in this country."
Johnson was remanded into custody and will be sentenced at Minshull Street Crown Court on August 21.
On Tuesday, a Facebook user indicated a guilty plea to a charge of using threatening words or behaviour intending to stir up racial hatred.
Jordan Parlour, 28, appeared at Leeds Magistrates' Court where he indicated he admitted posting on the social media platform between August 1 and August 5 in connection with violent disorder across the country.
An HM Courts and Tribunals Service spokeswoman said Parlour has been sent to Leeds Crown Court for a sentencing hearing on Friday.
A woman from Cheshire has also appeared in court accused of sending a threatening message on a Facebook community group suggesting to "blow up a mosque with adults inside".
Julie Sweeney, 53, of Lawtongate Estate, Church Lawton, appeared before Warrington Magistrates' Court on Wednesday charged with sending communication threatening death or serious harm.
Sweeney has not entered a plea to the charge and has been remanded in custody until a hearing at Chester Crown Court on August 14.