

Teenager convicted for harassing Pagan [May 2012]

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Previous :: Next Author Message Daniel Posted: 5th February 2014 Subject: Teenager convicted for harassing Pagan [May 2012]

Date: May 2012

Teenager convicted for harassing Pagan

A teenage boy has admitted religiously harassing a McDonald's employee by repeatedly teasing her for being a practicing Pagan.





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The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, consistently provoked the female member of staff over her beliefs in what is understood to be the first case of its kind.

A court heard how the defendant discovered through friends that his victim was a Pagan - a legally recognised religion - and then jumped on the bandwagon .

He pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated harassment over a period of more than six weeks while she was at work at the restaurant.

Simon Newell, prosecuting, said: The defendant has found out others have called her (the victim) a Pagan and he has jumped on the bandwagon. 

He was soon made aware of the effect it was having by the victim and senior staff. He knew this was unacceptable and then continued. He accepted in interview he did it to annoy her.

Religiously aggravated harassment is an unusual offence, the first I have dealt with, especially one where perhaps not everyone would consider it a religion, but it is deemed to be so.



He did not know it constituted religious aggravation and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. 



Colchester youth court heard how the teenager, from Lawford, north east Essex, harassed the McDonald's employee between December 24 last year and February 18.



He repeatedly went into the restaurant in High Street, Colchester, to tease his victim, leading to the staff member becoming very upset about it.



Under section 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, a person is guilty of an offence if found to have committed racially or religiously aggravated harassment.



Paganism encompasses a wide variety of religious groups, including druids and shamans who worship different deities, and is recognised in law. Some concentrate on witchcraft or ecology.

The Pagan Federation of Great Britain says that those who practice the belief are free to pursue their own vision of the Divine as a direct and personal experience. It defines Paganiosm as a nature-worshiping religion which incorporates a rich diversity of traditions.



Sitting at the youth court on Wednesday, magistrates handed the teenager a three month referral order for religiously aggravated harassment.

He was ordered to report to a panel of youth workers and told he may be required to do unpaid work. The bench also imposed a restraining order banning contact between the boy and his victim until November this year.



Laura Austin, mitigating, told the court: He is apologetic and did not realise paganism was a recognised religion.

The teasing was going to a level where the victim got very upset about it. His parents are not happy with him and have imposed their own curfew. You do wonder if the employers could or should have done more to prevent the behaviour."



More: http://www.telegraph.co ... g-Pagan.html May 2012The 16-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, consistently provoked the female member of staff over her beliefs in what is understood to be the first case of its kind.A court heard how the defendant discovered through friends that his victim was a Pagan - a legally recognised religion - and thenHe pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated harassment over a period of more than six weeks while she was at work at the restaurant.Simon Newell, prosecuting, said:He was soon made aware of the effect it was having by the victim and senior staff. He knew this was unacceptable and then continued. He accepted in interview he did it to annoy her.Religiously aggravated harassment is an unusual offence, the first I have dealt with, especially one where perhaps not everyone would consider it a religion, but it is deemed to be so.He did not know it constituted religious aggravation and pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. Colchester youth court heard how the teenager, from Lawford, north east Essex, harassed the McDonald's employee between December 24 last year and February 18.He repeatedly went into the restaurant in High Street, Colchester, to tease his victim, leading to the staff member becoming very upset about it.Under section 32 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, a person is guilty of an offence if found to have committed racially or religiously aggravated harassment.Paganism encompasses a wide variety of religious groups, including druids and shamans who worship different deities, and is recognised in law. Some concentrate on witchcraft or ecology.The Pagan Federation of Great Britain says that those who practice the belief are free to pursue their own vision of the Divine as a direct and personal experience. It defines Paganiosm as a nature-worshiping religion which incorporates a rich diversity of traditions.Sitting at the youth court on Wednesday, magistrates handed the teenager a three month referral order for religiously aggravated harassment.He was ordered to report to a panel of youth workers and told he may be required to do unpaid work. The bench also imposed a restraining order banning contact between the boy and his victim until November this year.Laura Austin, mitigating, told the court: He is apologetic and did not realise paganism was a recognised religion.The teasing was going to a level where the victim got very upset about it. His parents are not happy with him and have imposed their own curfew. You do wonder if the employers could or should have done more to prevent the behaviour." PFI Spain PFI Spain http://www.es.paganfederation.org Show: All posts 24 hours 2 days 3 days 7 days 2 weeks 1 month 3 months 6 months 1 year Oldest first Newest first Pagan Federation International Forum Index => News

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