Man 'gobsmacked' at arrest for flying banned flag

Kieron Brockhouse denies supporting two banned terror groups

A man accused of supporting two banned terror groups has told a court he was "gobsmacked" after his arrest.

Kieron Brockhouse, of Halesowen, near Dudley, had allegedly flown flags by the Ulster Freedom Fighters (UFF) and the Ulster Defence Association (UDA) in April 2021 and May 2022.

The 42-year-old said he "never thought it was an offence" to fly the flags and he had "no links to terrorism".

He denies supporting the organisations, which were proscribed as terrorist groups in 1973 and 1992, adding that his "naivety" had got him into "serious trouble".

Organisations 'ceased to exist'

Prosecutors at Birmingham Crown Court allege Brockhouse was reckless as to whether his actions in flying the flags and posting images of them on social media would encourage others to support the organisations.

The trial heard Brockhouse told police he was part of an Orange Order lodge, a 'fraternal' Prostestant organisation based in Ireland, adding: "I like the support we get - it's the history of my country."

Brockhouse claimed to have bought the flags from a high street shop in Belfast during a visit to the city.

He thought the organisations had "ceased to exist" after the Good Friday Agreement in 1988.

"If I can openly buy those in a shop, I can't understand what I have done wrong," he said.

The trial continues.