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Guilty verdict over 'scum' chants Guilty verdict over 'scum' chants
(about 14 hours later)
Two men who shouted "scum, scum, scum" at Muslim protestors during a soldiers' homecoming parade have been convicted of committing a public order offence. Two men who shouted "scum, scum, scum" at Muslim protesters during a soldiers' homecoming parade have been convicted of committing a public order offence.
Bryan Kelso, 27, of Hartley Road, and Kevin Carroll, 40, of Bollingbroke Road, both in Luton, both denied committing the offence in March 2009.Bryan Kelso, 27, of Hartley Road, and Kevin Carroll, 40, of Bollingbroke Road, both in Luton, both denied committing the offence in March 2009.
Magistrates in the town convicted the men following a trial.Magistrates in the town convicted the men following a trial.
They both received a nine-month conditional discharge and were ordered to pay costs of £175 each.They both received a nine-month conditional discharge and were ordered to pay costs of £175 each.
The men had denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress on 10 March.The men had denied using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress on 10 March.
Hand gesturesHand gestures
The court had heard they were among a crowd of "25 to 30 hardcore protestors" shouting at Muslim demonstrators during a parade of the Royal Anglian Regiment.The court had heard they were among a crowd of "25 to 30 hardcore protestors" shouting at Muslim demonstrators during a parade of the Royal Anglian Regiment.
Insp David Atraghji had told magistrates there were shouts directed at the extremists of "Bin Laden's wife is a whore" and "go and have a shave".Insp David Atraghji had told magistrates there were shouts directed at the extremists of "Bin Laden's wife is a whore" and "go and have a shave".
The men were captured by BBC News cameras covering the parade in LutonThe men were captured by BBC News cameras covering the parade in Luton
He added he had seen finger and hand gestures, and the Muslim protesters were told in explicit terms by the crowd to "go home".He added he had seen finger and hand gestures, and the Muslim protesters were told in explicit terms by the crowd to "go home".
In a police interview, the court heard, Kelso said the protesters were abusing people he considered heroes.In a police interview, the court heard, Kelso said the protesters were abusing people he considered heroes.
"My intention was to give them a piece of my mind," he added."My intention was to give them a piece of my mind," he added.
"If they want to be like that, they should go back where they came from."If they want to be like that, they should go back where they came from.
Speaking after the hearing, Supt Mark Turner said: "Luton town has enjoyed excellent community relations for a number of years but it seems last year a small minority came to the town to cause disorder.Speaking after the hearing, Supt Mark Turner said: "Luton town has enjoyed excellent community relations for a number of years but it seems last year a small minority came to the town to cause disorder.
"There has been extensive public consultation and work behind the scenes to strengthen community cohesion in the town.""There has been extensive public consultation and work behind the scenes to strengthen community cohesion in the town."