Man admits making threatening anti-Islamic and racist social media posts
A MAN from the West Midlands has admitted to two offences after posting threatening messages on social media that featured weapons.
Richard Britton pleaded guilty to two counts of publishing or distributing threatening, abusive or insulting material between February and March 2023.
Staffordshire police said Britton displayed anti-Islamic, racist and anti-immigration sentiments and used threatening language on his social media account.
He also shared images of weapons online and encouraged others to do the same, with the account he used to make these posts being later suspended by Twitter.
The 31-year-old was arrested during a pre-planned operation on 26 April 2023, and following a search of his address, weapons were recovered which matched those featured in his social media posts.
Britton initially denied the offences, but he entered guilty pleas at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday (21 May). He will be sentenced on 25 July.
Detective Superintendent Annie Miller, from Counter Terrorism Policing in the West Midlands who investigated, said: 'When we searched Britton's address following his arrest, we found machetes, fireworks and material matching the images he'd posted online.
'Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the wider West Midlands area."
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