Case dropped against man accused of racist posts

Carlisle Crown Court heard that it was not in the public interest to proceed with the case

A man accused of posting racially offensive material on Facebook amid civil unrest across the UK has had the criminal case against him dropped.

The 56-year-old from Workington, Cumbria, had faced one charge alleging he posted content "of an indecent or grossly offensive nature for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety".

Prosecutor Tim Evans told Carlisle Crown Court it was not in the public interest to proceed with the case.

Judge Barker said it was "quite proper" that police had taken action in the county early last month during a "period of great sensitivity".

The judge told the 56-year-old: "You are now very much on the police’s radar.

"You will understand that posting material on the internet, whether that is on your social media or your platforms, can and does constitute criminal offences and can have serious repercussions, and you should take great care in future."

Two men from Cumbria — Lee Dunn, 51, of Church Street, Egremont and 31-year-old Billy Thompson, of Mill Street, Maryport were previously jailed for racially aggravated Facebook posts.