A title winning bare-knuckle boxer turned actor and YouTuber has appeared in court accused of posting racially aggravated comments on a podcast earlier this week.
Derek Gordon Heggie, also known as Decca, faces one charge brought under the Malicious Communications Act 1988.
This alleges that he sent a communication or article, of indecent or offensive nature, between Saturday and Wednesday this week.
Heggie, 40, is one of several men prosecuted across Cumbria in the wake of police mounting an operation in response to potential planned disorder, amid days of national unrest.
The wording of the charge faced by Heggie alleges that he sent two videos to YouTube in which he is said to have made grossly offensive comments.
These include a reference to grooming gangs.
It is further alleged that the comments were made for the purpose of causing distress or anxiety to the recipient or to any other person to whom he intended that it or its contents or nature should be communicated.
Heggie appeared in the dock at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court this afternoon. During a 14-minute hearing in front of a district judge, Heggie spoke to confirm his full name, address and date of birth.
He pleaded not guilty to the charge after it was read to him by a court legal advisor.
In a brief outline, prosecutor George Shelley alleged that there had been deliberate posts on an Official All or Nothing online YouTube podcast.
Mr Shelley alleged the comments were particularly inflammatory in the context of disturbances taking place across the UK.
The court heard that Heggie, when interviewed, had portrayed himself as a journalist and maintained that the online posts were justified.
After hearing submissions, district judge John McGarva sent the case to Carlisle Crown Court.
Heggie, of Welsh Road, Harraby, Carlisle, will appear there for a preliminary hearing on Monday next week.
In the meantime he was remanded in custody after an application for bail, made by his solicitor Chris Toms, was refused by the judge.
- The Malicious Communications Act charge faced by Heggie carries, if proved, a maximum sentence of two years’ imprisonment.
