Richard David Williams, a 34-year-old man from Ewloe, Flintshire, has been sentenced to three months in jail after using social media to encourage a riot. Williams is believed to be the first individual from Wales to be convicted in connection with the recent wave of unrest that spread across England and Northern Ireland.
Williams, a metal worker, was found guilty at Mold Magistrates’ Court on Friday of sending threatening messages via a public communication network. He had posted a message on a local Facebook group dedicated to protests, urging people to participate in a riot. The post, which was made on August 7 in the “Riot/Protest re Deeside” group, called for a “protest/riot” to be held with the stated aim of “keeping our kids safe.”
In addition to inciting unrest, Williams shared a derogatory meme about migrants. The court heard that the image, which was accompanied by a racist joke, caused significant concern. District Judge Stephen Harmes, who heard the case via videolink, criticized Williams for his lack of consideration for others and the law. He noted that Williams’ actions were part of a larger pattern of social harm, as groups were unfairly blamed for society’s problems by people like him.
Judge Harmes rejected Williams’ self-description as a “keyboard warrior,” stating, “You’re not a warrior, and neither are the rioters.” The judge further stated that Williams attempted to create trouble and then tried to justify his actions. Although the full extent of the disruption caused by Williams’ posts cannot be quantified, the judge emphasized that his actions were part of the broader chaos that led to riots across the country.
Jenny Hopkins, the chief prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said that Williams mistakenly believed he could spread harmful and threatening content from behind a computer screen without facing consequences. Despite not directly participating in the unrest, Williams used social media to encourage others to engage in violent behavior.
Hopkins concluded, “Today’s verdict should send a strong message to anyone using the internet to sow division: your actions have real-world consequences, and you will be prosecuted.”