Comedian Reginald D Hunter appears in court over social media posts
The 56-year-old US stand-up is accused of three counts of sending an offensive communication on three different occasions – on August 24, September 10 and September 11 last year – to Heidi Bachram on X, formerly Twitter.
He spoke to confirm his personal details when he appeared at London's Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday for the private prosecution, which is being brought by the Campaign Against Antisemitism (CAA) charity.
It is alleged Hunter sent a computer-generated sexual image to Ms Bachram in August last year, with the charges claiming it was 'grossly offensive'.
No indication of plea was given and Hunter was bailed to return for a hearing at the same court on November 14.
Deputy district judge Louise Balmain told him: 'There is going to be an initial legal argument as to whether the case should proceed and that will take place on November 14.'
The judge told Hunter to attend that hearing as he will learn if the case goes ahead and whether he will have to enter a plea.
Hunter, whose address was given as care of Kalber Struckley solicitors, was released on unconditional bail.
Hunter regularly tours the UK and has appeared on comedy panel shows Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Have I Got News For You and 8 Out Of 10 Cats.
In an Instagram post published last week, Hunter said the CAA is 'dragging me to court for jokes online'.
Hunter also declared he is 'fighting a private prosecution for my comedy' in a crowdfunding appeal launched to help cover legal 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 crowdfunder, 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 CAA describes itself as an organisation of volunteers which works to 'expose and counter antisemitism through education and zero-tolerance enforcement of the law'.
Stephen Silverman, the group's director of investigations and enforcement, previously said: 'This is one of a number of private prosecutions that we are bringing, and there will be more to say on the case in due course.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
32 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Brit DJ sparks concern as he reveals terrifying secret health battle in hospital snap
He said that he has not quit music and is working to getting back into the industry COMEBACK KID Brit DJ sparks concern as he reveals terrifying secret health battle in hospital snap Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FAMOUS Brit DJ sparked concern as he revealed a terrifying secret health battle in a hospital snap. The R&B artist took to social media as he gave fans an update on his progress after disappearing from the industry. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 3 Joe Unknown took to Instagram from his hospital bed Credit: instagram 3 He admitted that he was struck down with a virus and has been trying to recover ever since Credit: instagram Joe Unknown is a DJ who is known for his album, For Better, For Worse. He has over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify and boasts over 14,000 followers on Instagram. However, he took to the social media platform with a new selfie from his hospital bed. Writing in the captions alongside the image, he admitted that he was struck with a horrible virus around Christmas. He admitted: "Been out six months, I just disappeared, got ill around Xmas and caught a virus that attacked my heart. "Never meant to be out this long but here we are, six months later and still goin thru it. "I'm doing everything I can to get back to putting out music, I've not quit music. "I'm not banged up abroad, I'm not any of the reasonable explanations or possibilities u may have heard, I'm just dealing with f**t health. "I will be back I promise. Thank U to everyone that has DMd/ messaged / called even when you didn't know I'm sick, just to check up." He added: "I love you more than you know. I'll be back soon." Joe Unknown performs Ride This was accompanied by an emoji with the number nine and a black heart. His fans and friends flooded the comments section with well wishes for the music star. One user commented: "Love you Joe. Get well soon x." A second stated: "Sending strength to ya brother." I'm doing everything I can to get back to putting out music, I've not quit music. Joe Unknown While a third wrote: "Mate ! Sending vibes get well soon bruv." As someone else posted: "Much love Joe. Wishing you a speedy recovery mate." And a fifth added: "Oh man, Joe!! Sending all the healing vibes. Love ya mate."
NBC News
an hour ago
- NBC News
Naomi Osaka reacts to viral clip of her harsh comments about her Wimbledon defeat
Naomi Osaka took to social media to address a now-viral clip of her postgame interview after her Wimbledon loss. Osaka faced Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova during the third round at Wimbledon Friday, July 4, ending in a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 loss. Following the match, Osaka expressed her disappointment in an interview, which was shared on social media by ESPN. 'I'm just going to be a negative human being today, I'm so sorry,' Osaka said during the interview. 'I have nothing positive to say about myself, which is something I'm working on.' Osaka shared the silver lining about her week with a sweet nod to her daughter, Shai, explaining, 'It was my daughter's birthday, so I was happy about that this week.' 'But other than that, today I'm just constantly replaying the match now,' she noted. Osaka reacted to the viral clip on Threads, writing in one post, 'Bro why is it every time I do a press conference after a loss the espns and blogs gotta clip it and put it up.' 'Wtf, why don't they clip my press conferences after I win?' Osaka added. 'Like why push the narrative that I'm always sad?' In another post, Osaka said, 'Sure I was disappointed a couple hours ago, now I'm motivated to do better.' 'That's human emotions,' she wrote. 'The way they clip me I feel like I should be fake happy all the time.' Despite her reaction to the clip, Osaka has been showered with supportive comments from fans on social media, including in the comment section on a July 3 post captioned 'Happy Shai day.' 'GIRL we love you. You're going through hard time but you gotta remember who you are your NAOMI OSAKA !' one Instagram user wrote. 'lil shai and so many girls look up to you! You're are a dream athlete a kind caring woman. Honest and fearless. You're an absolute queen, the Williams took a break and came back strong as ever maybe it's time to get some care.' The comment continued, concluding with, 'I think all our jaws were on the ground to see you so sad and not able to see the light in yourself the light we all see.' 'You may have nothing positive to say about yourself but we have many positive things to say about you!' another comment read. 'You can't win everytime… don't get too down on yourself, you're still a legend. Hold that head up high, sis!' One Instagram user shared an encouraging message for the tennis champ, writing, 'Don't be so hard on yourself Naomi, you are one of the greats. Come back stronger!' Over the years, Osaka hasn't shied away from getting candid about her personal life. In 2021, Osaka announced that she wouldn't be participating in press conferences at the French Open due to the effects on her mental health. She later pulled out of the tournament entirely, citing 'bouts of depression' in her decision. Osaka later penned an essay for TIME in July 2021, sharing why she decided to pull out of the tournament all together. At the time, she wrote, 'I communicated that I wanted to skip press conferences at Roland Garros to exercise self-care and preservation of my mental health. I stand by that. Athletes are humans.'
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
Bella Hadid stuns in double denim as she shows off toned abs and newly-blonde hair
Bella was fronting the new Miss Sixty denim campaign BLONDE BELLA Bella Hadid stuns in double denim as she shows off toned abs and newly-blonde hair Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BELLA Hadid looked Abs-olutely stunning as she showed off her toned tummy in a shoot showing off her new blonde bangs. The model made a dramatic hair change back in May when she swapped her signature brunette hair for a bright shade of platinum. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 2 Bella Hadid looked stunning as she showed off her toned abs and newly-blonde hair Credit: Miss Sixty/Carlijn Jacobs 2 The model was fronting the new Miss Sixty denim campaign Credit: Miss Sixty/Carlijn Jacobs And now she has switched things up again by chopping in a chunky fringe. Hadid showed off her new look on Instagram in a carousel captioned, "the wildest flower in the wild ." She debuted her dramatic new hair colour in Cannes Film Festival. Her colourist Jacob Schwartz said: "When the opportunity came for her to walk the Cannes Film Festival red carpet with Chopard on opening night this year, she wanted to make it a full moment—and decided to go blonde." Her real-life cowboy boyfriend Adan Banuelos, 37, would approve. Bella and Adan have been saddled up together since October 2024, after being spotted on a date in Fort Worth, Texas. Rumours that Bella Hadid was dating Adan first spread in autumn 2023. The two made things Instagram official the following February. Bella shared loved-up pictures of Adan and herself on Valentine's Day 2024. Adan is an accomplished horse rider, and trainer. He said of Bella last year: 'I didn't know God made 'em like that.'
