| Hateland -
Articles |
07/03/02
- 'Klan man' jailed for racist menace
BBC News
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| Alan
Beshella cannot now go within 15 yards of the shop |
A former Ku Klux Klan member who racially harassed an
Asian shopkeeper has been jailed for three months. Alan
Beshella, who joined the organisation in California, was
also banned from going near the store in Maesteg after
menacing the owner following the 11 September attacks.
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| Fear
is prompting shopkeeper Mohammed Nawaz to sell up |
The judge at Cardiff Crown Court
said Beshella, 52, threateningly quizzed Mohammed Nawaz
over his religious beliefs at his shop in the south Wales
town. Mr Nawaz is selling
his business after becoming fearful for his family's safety.
South Wales Police welcomed the verdict and said the case
illustrated the force's commitment to tackling racism.
The former KKK Grand Dragon - a leadership title adopted
by the group - who lives in Tonna Road, Maesteg, was convicted
of racially aggravated assault on the basis of psychological
injury. Magistrates in Port Talbot earlier heard London-born
Beshella joined the Ku Klux Klan when he lived in America
before settling in the Welsh valleys 13 years ago.
They heard Mr Nawaz and his family were in the process
of selling up after Beshella twice called at his shop
to say: "I'm the Ku Klux Klan man."
Subtle threats
| "It
was a very subtle, measured and premeditated course
of action which was as effective as a physical assault" |
| Prosecutor
Andrew Smith |
Prosecutor Andrew Smith said:
"It was a very subtle, measured and premeditated
course of action which was as effective in terrifying
Mr and Mrs Nawaz as a physical assault. Mr Nawaz said:
"Beshella wanted to know my opinions about the attack
on America. "He wanted
to know about the Muslim religion and how punishment should
be dealt with in the Islamic faith and he wanted me to
get a copy of the Koran. "Then he said: 'Do you know
who I am?'" and he told me he was Alan Beshella,
where he lived and that he was from the Ku Klux Klan.
"He said to my wife: 'Kill the Jews,' and left.
Nickname
 |
| Muslims
settled in Wales in the 19th Century |
"I felt frightened and confused
- mostly I was frightened for the safety of my children."
Beshella visited the couple again later that month with
a friend. Beshella was arrested by police after leaving
the shop and off-licence in the village of Caerau near
Bridgend. Beshella told
police: "I was just being honest and told him I was
the Klan Man; it's my nickname. Susan Lewis, defending,
said: "He is extremely upset that the shopkeeper
and his family were put in fear.
"At one stage, he belonged to the Ku Klux Klan for
about a year when he was living in California. "No-one
there took exception to him belonging to this political
organisation - he now thinks that joining that organisation
was the most stupid thing he ever did."
Petition started
Half of Beshella's three-month sentence is suspended,
so he should be free in six weeks. The jail term was branded
a "disgrace" by members of the Bridgend Coalition
Against Racism. The organisation had called for a three-
or four-year sentence. Beshella denied racially aggravated
harassment but was found guilty.
Mohammed Nawaz and his family are being backed by a group
called the Bridgend Coalition against Racism. The group
has started a petition, asking people in and around Maesteg
to support the shopkeeper. But despite this support, Mr
Nawaz has decided to move somewhere where there is a larger
Asian community.
After the case Mr Nawaz's wife Nusrat said: "We're
now putting the shop on the market and moving, because
he could come back. "Beshella only came here because
we are Muslims." Superintendent Brian Greaves, South
Wales Police divisional commander, said: "The case
fully illustrates (our) commitment to tackling racism
in our communities.
"The public of south Wales can be assured that we
will not tolerate such behaviour and will deal effectively
with those who seek to frighten or intimidate any member
of the community." |
| Contact : bernard.omahoney@bernardomahoney.com |
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