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A man who posed with a gun and posted offensive and racist comments on social media has been found guilty of inciting racial and religious hatred.

Jay Davison, 38, posted two photos on Instagram of himself bare-chested holding what appeared to be a shotgun and posted a series of anti-Islamic comments .

These included references to the Nazi terms “Heil” and “Aryan” and referred to the Islamic god Allah as a “c***”.

The comments themselves included the phrase “f*** Allah” and the term "‘f*** you racist Allah c****".

The self-employed electrician also posted: “Ever seen a white man cut a head off? No because they’re f****** scum. Heil, heil, heil, heil, f*** Allah c***” and "When has an Aryan cut another man’s head off?".

The posts came to light after one of Davison's followers took a screenshot of the pictures and comments and posted them to a separate WhatsApp group.

Another member of that group was concerned Davison was threatening violence towards the Muslim community and reported the posts to the police.

A trial at Cardiff Crown Court heard that Davison, of Rhiwbina , Cardiff , was a recovering alcoholic who claimed to have posted the messages while heavily intoxicated. He denied being a racist or anti-Muslim.

Giving evidence during the trial he said: "It was terrible judgement on my behalf and I should not have posted it. It was drunken stupidity. When I am sober I am a completely different person.

“I was at a low ebb, rock bottom, I had no self-esteem and was seeking attention from others."

(Image: Wales News Service)

On Wednesday a jury took just over an hour to return their verdicts. Davison was found guilty of one count of inciting religious hatred and two counts of inciting racial hatred. He was found not guilty of two counts of inciting religious hatred.

Davison's barrister asked Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke to adjourn his client's sentencing for a pre-sentence report to be carried out and for Davison to be bailed so he could "get his affairs in order".

Addressing the defendant, Judge Lloyd-Clarke said: "You have been convicted of a number of serious offences and an immediate custodial sentence is inevitable.

"I am going to order a pre-sentence report but I am going to remand you in custody."

Davison, of Craig yr Allt, will appear at the same court for sentencing on Monday, September 23.

Jenny Hopkins from the CPS said: “The material Jay Davison posted was clearly threatening, abusive, and insulting. His intention can only have been to stir up religious and racial hatred.

“His defence that he regretted his actions and was drunk was rejected by the jury.

“This is a warning to people that posting material online can have damaging consequences for them offline.”