'Theatrical bigotry' - judge jails man for burning the Koran

Andrew Ryan, 32, stole a copy of the holy book from Carlisle Library and then set it on fire with a lighter as a crowd gathered to hear his protests in front of a monument.

Police arrested Ryan, of Summerhill, Carlisle, shortly after the incident, at lunchtime on 19 January.

Sentencing Ryan at Carlisle Magistrates' Court yesterday, District Judge Gerald Chalk said: "This is a case of theatrical bigotry.

"It was pre-planned by you, as you stole the book deliberately. You went out to cause maximum publicity and to cause distress."

He told Ryan that people were entitled to protest, but not in the manner he chose.

The court heard that the defendant had six public order convictions between 2002 and 2010, including racial chanting at a football match and assault with intent to resist arrest.

Mr Chalk said: "You are a man who has a history of violence and disorderly conduct."

Ryan pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated harassment and theft at an earlier hearing.

Prior to the hearing, a Facebook page created by the "English Defence League Carlisle Division" urged visitors to support "Division Member" Ryan in his court appearance.

About ten men sat in the public gallery, but walked out when the judge announced the sentence.

Comments of "what a joke" and "call that justice" were made as they left the courtroom.

Before he was led to the cells, Ryan himself said: "What about burning poppies?"

The court was told that Ryan's former probation officer witnessed him shouting and waving a book at Carlisle Cross, outside the Old Town Hall in the city centre.

Ryan told him he intended to burn the Koran in a protest against the Muslim faith.

He failed in his first attempt with matches before he succeeded with a lighter.

Ryan then continued to shout abuse about Islam as he held the burning book, before he threw it to the ground and walked away, the court heard.

He then updated his personal Facebook page to reveal what he had done.

When arrested and interviewed by police, Ryan told officers: "I just hope I have not caused World War Three."

Unemployed Ryan was also sentenced to 30 days in jail for the theft of the book, to run concurrently.

The offences took place before the Home Office announced later the same day that controversial American pastor Terry Jones was barred from the UK.

The preacher sparked outrage when he announced plans by his church to burn copies of the Koran to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States.