Two men from Runcorn, Christopher Taggart, 36, and Rhys McDonald, 34, were sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, 13 August, after pleading guilty to publishing material intended to stir up racial hatred. Taggart was sentenced to 32 months in prison, while McDonald received a 28-month sentence. In addition, Taggart also pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon in a private place.
The case stemmed from posts made by both men on Facebook between 29 July and 6 August. These posts contained racial abuse and encouraged others to engage in racial hatred. Cheshire Police became aware of the concerning content on 5 August and quickly identified Taggart and McDonald from their online profiles. They were arrested on 10 August.
When officers searched Taggart’s home, they found a knuckle duster. Both men were charged with stirring up racial hatred and pleaded guilty to the offenses.
Cheshire Police emphasized the growing problem of online hate speech and its potential to fuel real-world violence, particularly following recent disorders across the UK. “We will not tolerate this kind of behavior in Cheshire, including those who post racial abuse online,” stated a police spokesperson. “Taggart and McDonald were quickly identified and are now being held accountable for their actions.”
The case serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible online behavior, with authorities making it clear that individuals are held accountable for what they post on social media.
