Far-right website editor jailed over racial hatred

James Costello was jailed for five years at Liverpool Crown Court

The editor of a far-right website who was a leading figure in a white supremacist movement has been jailed.

James Costello, 38, of Kirkby, placed stickers across Merseyside to advertise the website, which contained racist material.

Merseyside Police said Costello hoped he would recruit and radicalise people to the Creativity Movement.

He was jailed for five years at Liverpool Crown Court for 19 offences of stirring up racial hatred.

Nick Price, head of the Crown Prosecution Service's special crime and counter terrorism division, said: "James Costello styled himself as a "Reverend" as part of his ambition to try and stir up racial hatred wherever possible.

"The messages he posted were intended to sow disharmony and be a violent call to arms against black and Jewish people.

"Our prosecution was able to prove he was responsible for this racist material which should have no place in our society.

"It is right that he has been convicted today for these offences."

'Deplorable material'

In July 2021, several members of the public reported stickers found on lampposts advertising the website.

A criminal investigation was launched and Costello was arrested on suspicion of running the website.

Costello was charged and later found guilty of 15 offences of publishing written material, three offences of distributing a recording of sounds and one offence of possessing racially-inflammatory material to stir up racial hatred.

As part of the case, the CPS used evidence to show his connection with other convicted terrorists.

This included exchanging letters and postcards with National Action member Jack Renshaw, who was jailed for life in 2019 for planning to murder Labour MP Rosie Cooper.

Jack Renshaw, pictured at a National Action rally, will serve at least 20 years in prison

Speaking after the sentencing, Det Ch Insp Andy Milligan said: "Specialist Merseyside Police cyber crime officers took control of the website and closed it, significantly undermining and impacting upon the global reach of the racist white supremacist organisation, Creativity Movement.

"The racist and offensive material uncovered by our officers was deplorable and could have caused serious tensions, anguish and violence in our community."