BNP Hate-Monger Forced To Attend Left-Wing Race Classes

A failed BNP election candidate, who attacked four anti-racist demonstrators while hurling a torrent of abuse, dodged prison, but must attend race awareness classes.

Jobless David Robin Clarke, 41, of Dunley Drive, New Addington only polled 518 votes in the Heathfield ward during the May 6 Croydon council election.

He was placed on a twelve month community order at Croydon Magistrates' Court which includes an education, training and employment requirement as well as the diversity awareness programme.

He denied, but was convicted after a trial of asaulting Hope Not Hate campaigner Silvia Beckett and Nigel Green outside East Croydon railway station on May 27, last year and assaulting Lorna Nelson-Homian and James Cox on May 29.

Prosecutor Angela Williams told the court it was nearly 7pm on May 27 when anti-BNP protesters were handing out leaflets and angry Clarke (pictured) approached.

"He knocked the leaflets out of Mr. Green's hand and knocked them out of Ms. Beckett's hand and returned with threats telling them: 'The Morden lot will be here'."

Mr. Green told police Clarke pushed him and grabbed his arm then returned, pushing Ms. Beckett out of the way, almost knocking her off her feet.

Clarke, who was wearing a 'Screwdriver' T-shirt - the notorious Blood & Honour' right-wing rock band - at the time claims he reacted to "Nazi" slurs hurled by the group.

Two days later he confronted the pacifist protesters again shouting: "Fucking scumbags. Filth on our streets, taking our jobs."

Again he snatched leaflets and pushed and shoved both victims and was arrested after being identified on CCTV.

"He is deeply regretful and remourceful," Clarke's lawyer Diana Payne told the court. "He feels the actions of the complainants was aggressive and provocative and brought on the situation.

"He has been in conflict before due to his political allegiances, but this incident, he feels, was not of his own making and the complainants were unprofessional politically in the way they were behaving.

"It was an unfortunate clash of characters that day."

Clarke has previous convictions for violence, but has stayed out of trouble for twelve years.

District Judge Robert Hunter told Clarke: "You must realise the complainants have the same right to express their views as you and must have the right to do that without fear of assault.

"I hope you successfully complete this order and put this behind you. If you fail to comply you can be brought back and re-sentenced."