Comedian Reginald D Hunter appears in court over social media posts
It's claimed that his posts were "anti-Semitic". Reginald had originally been scheduled to appear in court on May 30 of this year, but Deputy Chief Magistrate Tan Ikram had issued a warrant for him to attend today. During today's hearing, he spoke only to confirm his personal details. No indication of a plea was given, and Reginald was bailed and told to return for a hearing at the same court on November 14.
Deputy district judge Louise Balmain told the comic: "There is going to be an initial legal argument as to whether the case should proceed, and that will take place on November 14." He was told to attend the hearing as he will find out whether the case is going ahead and whether he will have to enter a plea.
Reginald, whose address was given as care of his solicitors, was released on unconditional bail. It comes just a week after he said that Campaign Against Antisemitism had been "dragging me to court for jokes online." He also said he is "fighting a private prosecution for my comedy" and launched a crowdfunding page to cover his fees.
A total of £19,836 towards a £50,000 target had been pledged by the time he made his first appearance in court on Monday. The crowdfunding, aimed at raising money towards specialist counsel and any appeals procedures and court fees, states: "Born in Georgia in 1969, Reginald has been a force in UK comedy since 1992.
"Known for his biting social commentary, he has appeared on Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats and was Perrier-nominated at Edinburgh Festival. Reginald challenges audiences on racism, politics, and religion. He is staunchly anti-War and has publicly criticised Israel in the past."
The court had heard at the earlier hearing from prosecutor Donal Lawler that Hunter was a "well-known comedian" who was being privately prosecuted by Campaign Against Antisemitism. It's claimed that Mr Hunter had sent a computer-generated sexual image to Heidi Bachram last August, with the charges reading it was "grossly offensive."
But on September 10, he is accused of tweeting Ms Bachram, saying: "THIS is why I HATE these people and am committed to their destruction not because JEW hatred Not even because they are European Nazis pretending to be JEWS Because of all the lying. Mama HATED liars and bequeathed that hatred to ALL of her children."
Just one day later, he is said to have sent another message, reading: "Hey sugar. I don't hate you for being an agent of evil. Not new Not even uncommon.
"You being a liar a persistent liar KNOWING the truth, is why I will see you and your kind ended, even if it costs me EVERYTHING. You are not even a JEW. Run tell that."
On May 30, Campaign Against Antisemitism posted on X: "A warrant has been issued for Reginald D. Hunter to attend court in relation to a private prosecution brought by CAA. Mr Hunter is charged with three offences under section 127 of the Communications Act 2003, relating to posts on X that he allegedly published in September 2024.
"The first hearing took place today at Westminster Magistrates' Court, but Mr Hunter failed to appear. A warrant has now been issued for him to attend court on a future date. This is one of a number of private prosecutions that CAA is bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course."
In August last year, Hunter was cleared of not committing any crimes, after an investigation by Police Scotland following claims of a "hate crime", towards an Israeli couple, who claimed they had been "harassed" and "booed" at his show on the Edinburgh Fringe. The performance was cancelled by the theatre after the couple were heckled out of the performance following a joke. At the time, Reginald said on social media that he regretted an "unfortunate incident."
He added: "There was an unfortunate incident in my new show 'Fluffy Fluffy Beavers. As a comedian I do push boundaries in creating humour, it is part of my job. This inevitably creates divided opinions but I am staunchly anti-war and anti-bullying. I regret any stress caused to the audience and venue staff members."
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