A Derbyshire man, Neil Macgregor 36 was recently up before a Scottish Court where Sheriff Andrew Mackie heard his plea.
Mr Macregor threatened to blow up Glasgow Central Mosque, in fact he went a little bit further than that, let him explain in his own words in an email he sent to Strathclyde Police which was given to the court as evidence. He said:
"I’m a proud racist and National Front member. We as an organisation have decided to deal with the current threat from Muslims in our own British way like our proud ancestors. “Our demands are very small. Close all the Mosques in Scotland, we see this is very easy – even you guys can handle that.”
He then issued a barrage of sickening threats, centering on the internet killing of Ken Bigley.
He wrote: “If our demands aren’t met by next Friday we’ll kidnap one Muslim and execute him or her on the internet, just like they did to our Ken Bigley.
“Those monster evil Muslims cut off his head with a kitchen knife, so we would like to repay the compliment. Every week we’ll kidnap and behead a Muslim if our demands aren’t met.”
... “We will also detonate a box of nails in the Central Mosque on Friday night.”
MacGregor then followed up the e-mail with a call threatening to blow up the Central Mosque.Threats to kill a Muslim a week, and blow up a Mosque? what's the tariff on that then under the Prevention of Terrorism Act?
15 years? 5 years? maybe being held indefinitely at her Majesty's pleasure? (a bit like Phil the Greek)
No Mr Mackie decided that he needed medical treatment not punishment and dished out a tough sentence of 3 years probation.
3 years probation! you couldn't make it up, Neil Macgregor is, as we speak is free as a bird walking around Derbyshire a man at full liberty.
The trial didn't even make it to Scotland High Court system and serious questions are now being asked as to why the matter was allowed to be dealt with by the junior Sheriffs court system?
I can but wonder what would happen if a member of the Muslim community was bought before a court having admitted to threats to kill a Christian a day and blow up Glasgow Cathedral, on demands that all churches in Scotland be closed?
Judgements like this do little to promote any sense of equity within our legal system and the failure of most of the press again to report the trial or its outcome will not help to convince the Muslim community that the media doesn't operate a wicked policy of double standards when reporting such matters. It also adds to the concerns of many that the dangers of far right extremism in our country are being underplayed and under reported
Well done the BBC at least, and believe it not The Scottish Sun, but if you wanted to read the news elsewhere you would have to subscribe to newspaper titles and websites well outside of the UK.
Or of course read this blog...........................................................
Thanks Martha, nice to know that people enjoy it.
ReplyDeleteTony
Neil Macgregor is a complete fantasist and playing at being a terrorist was just another fantasy role for him...He was once a work colleague of my husband and I think he should be locked up in a mental institution before he does harm to someone!
ReplyDeleteConsidering the lack of press coverage and the apparent lack lustre of the courts to take the matter seriously, I can totally understand why people may feel sceptical and angry towards what seems a hypocritical system that has failed to reassure all communities of its commitment to a blind and fair system of justice. I can only hope that the outcome of this case was based purely on Neil Macgregor’s mental failings, because please be reassured this guy is simply an out and out nutcase who flits from one fantasy life to another, without actually having the courage of his convictions.
Please see the links below, this is the same guy who tried to buy two football clubs?? Is apparently a big time pornography/sex industry boss in the U.S and to top it all off a Gulf war hero and private body guard to top celebrities’ and politicians to boot.
http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4867/Sex_industry_boss_bids_for_Caley_Thistle.html
http://www.inverness-courier.co.uk/news/fullstory.php/aid/4899/Fans_blast_porn_boss_proposals.html
http://www.sundaymail.co.uk/news/scottish-news/2008/01/20/tycoon-behind-bid-for-spl-club-exposed-as-pimp-78057-20291098/
I have also read some racist statements in some forums supporting Macgregor, I hope these people see these links and realise what even bigger idiots they are. I just wish the press and courts highlighted the issue a lot more than they did and explained that Macgregor’s behaviour was a latest in a line of purely attention seeking fantasy to put the Muslim community minds at rest. I’m not making excuses for him, the upset and panic he caused must have been awful. He deserved far more than 3 years probation, an example should have been made of him to discourage others from thinking they can get away so lightly if they pursue similar actions, especially for those who don’t realise that he didn’t do it for any ‘cause’ but rather for his own fantasy drama, attention seeking needs.
(ps sorry if this post doesnt show up right I cut and pasted it from word)