A Carlisle man has appeared in court accused of posting offensive Facebook comments, allegedly encouraging violence against the police, as a major operation took place in the city in response to potential planned disorder.
Officers arrested five men and also detained a 16-year-old boy amid a heightened law enforcement presence in the area yesterday afternoon and evening.
A dispersal order covering the city centre was also put in place until midnight. This legislation provided officers with enhanced stop and search capabilities and authority to order the removal of face coverings intended to disguise or conceal a person’s appearance.
Officers also had the power to seize any item used in the commission of anti-social behaviour.
Appearing at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court this afternoon was 41-year-old Stuart Burns, of Briar Bank in the city.
Burns faces two charges brought under the Communications Act. Each alleges that he sent an obscene, indecent, obscene or menacing message, on 5th August, using a public communications network.
Appearing in the dock having been remanded in custody overnight, Burns spoke to confirm his full name, date of birth and address.
He pleaded not guilty to both charges, which were brought after police were alerted by a member of the public to online content.
Giving a brief outline of the charges, prosecutor George Shelley said these related to “two separate posts on Facebook”. The charges had been laid, said Mr Shelley, in the context of “ongoing national disturbances throughout the country”.
The wording of both posts was read during today’s half-hour hearing by the prosecutor. In these Burns is alleged to have encouraged violence against police officers and promoted public disorder.
However, Burns’ contention, said Mr Shelley, was that there had been no intent to incite any disorder.
The level of both charges means they can only be dealt with in a magistrates’ court.
Burns is due to stand trial in Carlisle on August 29.
In the meantime he was granted bail. District judge John Temperley imposed one condition which prohibits Burns posting anything on social media between now and his trial date.
