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Ex-Councillor's Antisemitic Tweets Stir Hatred
21 Aug
Summary
- Jury found ex-councillor likely stirred racial hatred with posts.
- She was unfit to plead due to dementia and health issues.
- An absolute discharge was given due to her medical condition.
A former North Yorkshire councillor and ex-mayor of Harrogate, Pat Marsh, aged 78, has been found by a jury to have likely stirred up racial hatred. The findings relate to antisemitic posts made on the social media platform X in January and February 2024.
Marsh faced a trial of facts at York Crown Court. She was deemed physically and mentally unfit to enter a plea or provide evidence during the proceedings due to suffering from dementia.
Following the jury's conclusion, the Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, decided that an absolute discharge was the only appropriate course of action, given Marsh's documented health condition.
A trial of facts does not result in a guilty verdict, but rather determines if the alleged offences were committed by the individual involved.
