MEP Sajjad Karim protest trial: 12 admit disorder offences

Twelve people have admitted public order offences at the home of a Lancashire MEP last year.

All the defendants were charged in relation to a protest at the home of Conservative MEP Sajjad Karim in Burnley on 2 July.

Eleven men and a woman from Central and East Lancashire were remanded on bail for sentence at Preston Crown Court on 25 May.

Two men and two youths face a separate trial with public order offences.

Four defendants: Bernard Martin Holmes, 28, from Blackburn; Leonard Stephen Hawley, 47, from Blackburn; Jason David Smith, 43, of Burnley; David Wilson, 47, from Blackburn admitted a charge of racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence.

A fifth man, David Victor Garrett, 44, of Darwen, admitted possessing an offensive weapon.

Seven other defendants admitted public order offences: Graham Smith, 48, of Chorley; Leanne Thornton, 26, of Todmorden; Paul Winston Blundell, 45, from Preston; Paul Anthony Jackson, 40, of Blackburn; John Michael English, 24, from Blackburn; Jordan Harvey Lonsdale, 20, from Clitheroe and Martin John Corner, 31, of Chorley.

There will be a separate trial at Burnley Crown Court of two men and two juveniles in connection with the incident but at a date yet to be confirmed.

Bilal Tariq, 22, from Brierfield is charged with possession of an offensive weapon and Farhan Qazi, 24, from Nelson is charged with affray, threats to commit criminal damage and obstructing a police officer.

Two 17-year-old youths face charges of affray with one also facing a charge of criminal damage.