A man has pleaded guilty to causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress in Redditch town centre last December. 

James Jennings, aged 62, of Druid Lane, Birmingham, was arrested by officers from Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Team during a Pro-Palestine peaceful protest on December 2, 2023. 

At Worcester Magistrates' Court yesterday (Tuesday, March 5), Jennings admitted to shouting racially offensive and abusive comments towards the group who were outside the town's library that day causing a reaction. 

Officers attended the scene but Jennings continued to make offensive comments towards the protesters resulting in his arrest. 

Though magistrates acknowledged Jennings giving a guilty plea, a fine of £833 that would have been reduced to £666 was increased to £1,250 for the racist element of the offence. 

He was also ordered to pay costs of £135 and a victim surcharge of £333 to pay in full by April 2.

Police Constable Mike Moore, of Redditch SNT, said: "We are pleased the court has recognised the racist element of this offence in sentencing Jennings whose actions have no place in the communities we serve in Redditch. 

"This result shows we will not tolerate racist abuse of people in our town and will take action where appropriate to prevent such offences taking place and protect the public from them."