Northern Ireland

Britain First leader Paul Golding granted bail at Ballymena court

Britain First leader Paul Golding has been charged with publishing written material intended to stir up hatred
Britain First leader Paul Golding has been charged with publishing written material intended to stir up hatred Britain First leader Paul Golding has been charged with publishing written material intended to stir up hatred

BRITAIN First leader Paul Golding appeared before a court in Co Antrim today charged with public order offences.

The 36-year-old, from Shore Crescent in Belfast, is charged with two counts of possessing written material intended to stir up hatred or arouse fear.

He is further charged with publishing written material intended to stir up hatred and displaying written material intended to stir up hatred.

Appearing before Ballymena Magistrates Court, Mr Golding confirmed his name and listened to the charges.

They follow his arrest on October 24 in connection with alleged incidents in the Ballymena area on October 20 and October 24.

A detective constable told the court he could connect the accused to the charges.

Mr Golding's solicitor said his client regularly travels to England and asked that a condition of his police bail, requiring him to report to Musgrave station in Belfast twice a week, be varied to once a week.

But the police officer said it was "only way we have of keeping track of Mr Golding".

District Judge Nigel Broderick released the defendant on £500 bail with conditions which include not being allowed within 500 metres of any parade, protest or public demonstration in Northern Ireland.

He was also ordered not to enter Ballymena or Dunsilly car park in Antrim between 5pm and 10pm on Saturdays.

As part of his bail conditions he was also ordered not to possess or distribute material which is threatening, abusive or insulting and intended to stir up hatred.

The defendant must reside at Shore Crescent in Belfast and report to police at Musgrave Street once a week.

An extra condition was added allowing the accused to travel to England provided he notifies police in advance.

The case was adjourned until December.

A co-accused, with a different address at Shore Crescent in Belfast, was also in court.

Lee Daniel Brown (28), is charged with displaying written material intending to stir up hatred and two further charges of distributing written material intending to stir up hatred in the Moat Road area of Ballymena.

He was also released on bail.