Reform councillor found guilty of offensive message about Nigerians

Gibbins accused of offensive post

Sunderland City councillor Glenn Gibbins was found guilty of posting a grossly offensive message on Facebook two years before election.

“Carnt [sic] believe the amount of nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!”

Post discovered by campaign group

Hope Not Hate campaign group uncovered the offensive post when Gibbins was announced as Reform UK candidate for Sunderland City Council.

Gibbins denied it was serious

Gibbins claimed the post was a 'tongue-in-cheek joke' made after a few beers and not meant to be taken literally.

Prosecution called it offensive

Prosecutor Emma Dowling said the comment implied Nigerians were 'somewhat less than human' and suggested they could be 'eradicated'.

Gibbins suspended by Reform

Gibbins was suspended by Reform UK in August after the post was discovered and he was elected to represent Hylton Castle ward in May.

Gibbins' defense dismissed

His defense argued it was an 'unpleasant joke/non-joke' similar to comedians joking about gypsies in the Holocaust without prosecution.

Community leader expressed distress

Nigerian community leader Godwin Ejeh said residents were 'distressed' for their safety and children's safety after the post.

Gibbins accepted post was offensive

Judge Passfield found Gibbins admitted the post was offensive but not 'grossly so' and maintained it was a joke.

Gibbins sentenced to community order

Gibbins received a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work after being found guilty of the offensive post.

Gibbins plans to appeal

Gibbins' legal team said he plans to appeal the decision at Crown Court after being suspended by Reform UK.