Antisemitic taunt posted after synagogue attack

A man gloated about the deaths of two Jewish people on social media hours after an attack on a Greater Manchester synagogue in October.

Aiden Stanley, 20, from Manchester, posted a message on social media, using emojis including a sword and commenting: "Should have been me who done it."

He was sentenced by magistrates in Manchester to an 18-month community order with 20 rehabilitation days and a £160 fine as part of a sentence recognising the "hate element "of the offence, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said.

Two worshippers were killed in the attack at Heaton Park Hebrew Congregation n Manchester as people gathered to celebrate the Yom Kippur festival.

Peter Conroy, of the CPS, said: "Aiden Stanley knowingly posted a grossly offensive, antisemitic message on social media.

"The timing of the post, within just six hours of the devastating synagogue attack in which two people died, makes it all the more disturbing.

"Stanley wanted to provoke a community who had already faced enormous suffering, and his sickening actions were made all the worse by the fact many were mourning the loss of family and friends following this terror attack.

"There is no place for hate in our society and we will continue to work with partners to bring those who spread hate in our communities to justice."

Stanley posted his comment at about 15:30 BST on 2 October, and Greater Manchester Police arrested him the following day.

He admitted to police that the post was about Jewish people and claimed he had done it to impress people who would think it was funny.

He admitted sending a grossly offensive message at Manchester City Magistrates Court, on 6 October. Another charge of racially aggravated communications was dropped.

Jewish charity The Community Security Trust (CST), which protects Jewish homes and synagogues, welcomed the CPS decision to pursue this case "with the seriousness it deserves".

A spokesman said: "Within hours of the Heaton Park terrorist attack, in which two people tragically lost their lives, Stanley posted malicious and deeply disturbing content on social media.

"At a moment of shock and grief, his actions were callous and deliberate, amplifying an already heightened sense of fear.

"This prosecution demonstrates that those who seek to exploit acts of terrorism to intimidate or incite hatred will be held to account."

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