Leeds man sentenced over antisemitic graffiti on M&S shop

Gregory Palmer targeted the Wellington Street store in Leeds

A man who daubed antisemitic graffiti on a branch of Marks & Spencer in Leeds has been given a community order.

Gregory Palmer, 61, drew two Stars of David and an antisemitic slogan on the door of the Wellington Street store with a felt tip pen on 17 April 2022.

Lionel Idan, of the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), said: "Bringing offenders who perpetrate antisemitism to justice is a priority for the CPS.

"Such vile acts have no place in society."

He said he hoped the conviction encouraged more people to report all forms of hate crime.

Palmer of St Peter's Court, Bramley, Leeds, was found guilty on Monday of criminal damage and racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage at Leeds Magistrates' Court.

He had also admitted a separate criminal damage offence on 7 July 2022.

He was given a 12-month community order, told to carry out 105 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £500 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.

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