A so-called “keyboard warrior” has been sentenced to three years in prison in the UK for posts he made on social media platform “X”.
Wayne O’Rourke, 35, was sentenced to three years in prison for “inciting racial hatred” during recent anti-immigration protests and riots.
According to Back to Hometown Lincolnshire Free PressMr O’Rourke had spread false information suggesting the perpetrator of the Southport stabbing attack, which left three girls dead, was a Muslim or an illegal immigrant – neither of which is true.
O’Rourke gave his 90,000 followers advice on how to remain anonymous during protests, advice that left-wing activist groups often give to their followers ahead of controversial protests.
Sentencing him, Judge Katarina Sholin Knight accused Mr O’Rourke of “inciting” the riots through social media posts, describing them as “firefighting fuelled by keyboard warriors like you”.
BBC: Man arrested for ‘anti-establishment speech’ on social media goes on trialhttps://t.co/xYLJWyp0V4
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) August 14, 2024
One of Mr O’Rourke’s offending posts read: “Southport people where are you at, get out.”
Another post, with a picture of a burning car in Sunderland, said: “Good luck Sunderland.”
“Starmer is basically saying we are against them. Keep up the attitude,” he wrote in another X post.
Other posts included “Numbers matter” and “Go to hell with them.”
O’Rourke’s defence lawyer, Lucia Harrington, told the court his client had been “caught up in the media frenzy” following the Southport mass stabbing and had not set up the account with the intention of inciting violence.
Harrington added that O’Rourke wanted to be “re-educated” about what he got wrong.
Commenting on the incident, Lincolnshire Police Chief Superintendent Kate Anderson said: said“This latest prosecution demonstrates that we will take swift and decisive action against those suspected of sharing harmful content online.
“We remain committed to proactive policing and keeping people safe across the county.
“This action shows that everyone is responsible for their actions, whether in public or online.”
‘Hate-mongering’ British man jailed for mocking Muslims at non-violent anti-immigration protesthttps://t.co/gOOiiVX3dB
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) August 17, 2024
