A woman has appeared in court accused of stirring up racial hatred in a social media reply to a post about the storming of a Rotherham hotel housing asylum seekers.
Megan Morrison, a 26-year-old mother, faces one charge which relates to a comment made on Tuesday August 6.
This charge alleges that Morrison, of Mona Road, Salterbeck, Workington, published written material on Facebook that is said to have been threatening, abusive or insulting, and intended to stir up racial hatred.
Morrison appeared at Workington Magistrates’ Court this morning. She was arrested on Saturday and spent the weekend in custody.
No plea was entered. District judge John Temperley concluded, after hearing submissions, that the case should be sent to Carlisle Crown Court.
Outlining the allegation, Peter Kelly said it related to a Facebook post surrounding an incident in Rotherham where a hotel housing asylum seekers was attacked on Sunday, August 4.
Of Morrison, Mr Kelly alleged: “What the Crown say is that the defendant effectively echoes the appropriateness of that action and suggests the same action should be taken at (a hotel) in this area.”
Morrison was alleged to have said in the post “it’s full of them” and used an eye-rolling emoji.
Morrison is next due to appear in front of a judge at Carlisle Crown Court on Wednesday, August 14.
In the meantime she was granted bail by the district judge. One condition bans Morrison from posting anything on any social media platform.
