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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Muslim hotel row case dismissed | Muslim hotel row case dismissed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A devout Christian couple have been cleared of insulting a Muslim guest because of her faith. | A devout Christian couple have been cleared of insulting a Muslim guest because of her faith. |
| Benjamin and Sharon Vogelenzang were accused of launching a tirade against Ericka Tazi at the Bounty House Hotel in Aintree, Liverpool, in March. | Benjamin and Sharon Vogelenzang were accused of launching a tirade against Ericka Tazi at the Bounty House Hotel in Aintree, Liverpool, in March. |
| The couple denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words which were religiously aggravated. | The couple denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words which were religiously aggravated. |
| District judge Richard Clancy dismissed the case at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday afternoon. | District judge Richard Clancy dismissed the case at Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Wednesday afternoon. |
| Mrs Tazi, who converted to Islam 18 months ago, spent a month at the hotel in Church Avenue while attending a course at Aintree Hospital. | Mrs Tazi, who converted to Islam 18 months ago, spent a month at the hotel in Church Avenue while attending a course at Aintree Hospital. |
| Business affected | |
| She claimed the couple became enraged when she wore a hijab on her last day and accused Mr Vogelenzang, 53, of asking her if she was a murderer and a terrorist. | She claimed the couple became enraged when she wore a hijab on her last day and accused Mr Vogelenzang, 53, of asking her if she was a murderer and a terrorist. |
| She also told the court Mr Vogelenzang called the Prophet Muhammad a murderer and a warlord and likened him to Saddam Hussein and Hitler. | She also told the court Mr Vogelenzang called the Prophet Muhammad a murderer and a warlord and likened him to Saddam Hussein and Hitler. |
| But the couple denied her version of events and claimed Mrs Tazi told them Jesus was a minor prophet and that the Bible was untrue. | But the couple denied her version of events and claimed Mrs Tazi told them Jesus was a minor prophet and that the Bible was untrue. |
| Ericka Tazi stayed at the Liverpool hotel for a month | Ericka Tazi stayed at the Liverpool hotel for a month |
| Mr Vogelenzang admitted that his wife may have referred to the hijab as a form of bondage, but said he only listed historical figures such as Hitler, Nero and Mao to make light of the situation. | Mr Vogelenzang admitted that his wife may have referred to the hijab as a form of bondage, but said he only listed historical figures such as Hitler, Nero and Mao to make light of the situation. |
| Earlier on Wednesday the court heard that takings at the couple's hotel were down by 80% since they were prosecuted for the public order offence. | Earlier on Wednesday the court heard that takings at the couple's hotel were down by 80% since they were prosecuted for the public order offence. |
| Speaking from the witness box, Mr Vogelenzang accused 60-year-old Mrs Tazi of "trying to ruin his business" during heated scenes. | Speaking from the witness box, Mr Vogelenzang accused 60-year-old Mrs Tazi of "trying to ruin his business" during heated scenes. |
| The two-day trial ended when Judge Clancy ruled that the evidence against the hoteliers was "inconsistent" and dismissed the case. | The two-day trial ended when Judge Clancy ruled that the evidence against the hoteliers was "inconsistent" and dismissed the case. |
| He told the couple that religion and politics was the "tinderbox which set the whole thing alight" because of both parties' "strongly entrenched positions". | |
| Evidence inconsistent | |
| Explaining his reasons for dismissal, Judge Clancy said Mrs Tazi's claim that she was verbally attacked for up to an hour had not been backed up by the other witnesses. | |
| He also said the language Mrs Tazi used in the exchange "did not quite form the same religious view" that was put to him on the stand. | |
| Judge Clancy said: "I'm not satisfied on the facts that this case has been made out." | |
| Mr and Mrs Vogelenzang were backed by campaign group The Christian Institute which held demonstrations of support outside the court. | Mr and Mrs Vogelenzang were backed by campaign group The Christian Institute which held demonstrations of support outside the court. |
| Their supporters cheered as the couple emerged from the building after the hearing. | Their supporters cheered as the couple emerged from the building after the hearing. |
| Speaking outside court, Mrs Vogelenzang, 54, said: "It has been a very difficult nine months and we are looking forward to rebuilding our business and getting on with our lives. | Speaking outside court, Mrs Vogelenzang, 54, said: "It has been a very difficult nine months and we are looking forward to rebuilding our business and getting on with our lives. |
| "We would like to thank all those who have supported us over the last nine months - our family, our friends, our church, and Christians from all around the world and non-Christians. | "We would like to thank all those who have supported us over the last nine months - our family, our friends, our church, and Christians from all around the world and non-Christians. |
| "And as Christmas approaches we wish everybody peace and goodwill." | "And as Christmas approaches we wish everybody peace and goodwill." |