Wife of Tory councilor jailed for inciting racial hatred on Twitter | British news

The court was told Lucy Connolly, who has no previous convictions, also sent another tweet commenting on a sword attack, which said: ‘I bet it was one of these boat invaders.’

Another

In a subsequent message on WhatsApp, she bragged about “playing the mental health card” if she were arrested.

Prosecutor Naeem Valli told the court that Connolly had also sent a message saying she planned to work out her notice period as a childminder ‘sly’, despite being deregistered.

Connolly appeared in court via video link to HMP Peterborough, while her husband watched the proceedings from the public gallery.

In sentencing Lucy Connolly over the Southport stabbings, Judge Melbourne Inman KC said: ‘Some people used that tragedy as an opportunity to sow division and hatred, often using social media, which led to a number of towns and cities being disfigured hit. .’

After noting that Connolly’s post about

“That volatility led to serious disorder involving mindless violence.”

The judge added that Connolly – who remained calm on the prison video link – had encouraged activities that threatened or endangered life.

Tom Muir, defending, said Connolly had lost a child in horrific circumstances and stood out from other perpetrators using social media because she sent the tweet to the heart of the matter before any violence against asylum seekers had begun.

Mr Muir said: “The terrible way she lost her son, through being turned away from the health service, can only have a drastically detrimental effect on someone.