REGINA v PIERS PORTMAN- 29.07.2022
Case- Case number
- [2022] EWCA Crim 1200
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Case Description
The case concerned a renewed application for leave to appeal against conviction for intentionally causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress. The antisemitism-related core lay in an incident outside a magistrates’ court in which the applicant was found to have directed the words “Jewish scum” at a representative of an organisation combating antisemitism, following the sentencing of a defendant previously convicted of antisemitic offences. On appeal, the applicant argued procedural unfairness, including refusal of an adjournment due to absent witnesses, rejection of bad character evidence concerning the complainant, alleged abuse of process, and inappropriate judicial questioning. The Court of Appeal rejected all grounds, holding that the trial judge had properly exercised discretion, that the proposed bad character evidence lacked substantial probative value under s. 100 Criminal Justice Act 2003, and that the conviction was safe; leave to appeal was refused. Crime and Disorder Act 1998, s. 31(1)(b); Criminal Justice Act 2003, s. 100.
- Name of Court
- Court of Appeal Criminal Divison
- Date of decision
- Jul 29, 2022
- Subjects
- Freedom of Speech
- Hate Speech and Incitement
- Type of Court
- Court of Appeal
- Area of Law
- Criminal Law
- Year
- 2022
- Generated ID
- GAP2926-8690
- Geolocation
Latitude: 51.49546372897586
Longitude: -0.11535644531250001
- Geolocation
- Source
- National Archives