Man pleads guilty over Facebook post about attacking synagogues using stink bombs

A man has pleaded guilty over a Facebook post about launching an attack on a synagogue using stink bombs.

Michael Brown, 45, from Brighton replied to a post on the social network suggesting to "target local synagogues and Jewish businesses" on February 28 - the same day the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran.

The text ended by asking if anyone "has a good recipe for roasted Synagogue".

After the police launched an investigation, the 45-year-old insisted his post, in which he also said it was "time to target" sacred sites with overripe fruit, was merely a "joke".

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Nevertheless, at Westminster Magistrates’ Court today, Brown pleaded guilty to sending by public communication network an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message.

Prosecutor Emily Thornton stressed he posted the message on February 28, when the Iran war began, and said Brown should be handed a stricter sentence for a race hate crime.

The original post by the Brighton and Hove Palestine Solidarity Campaign appeared to be sympathetic to the Islamic Republic, calling the war an "attack on yet another sovereign state".

Chief Magistrate Paul Goldspring told Brown: "I can’t rule out it will be a custodial sentence, it may well be."

Brown, from Newhaven, wrote in his Facebook post: "It’s about time to target local synagogues and Jewish businesses with overripe fruit and stink bombs.

"Let’s all buy a pack of 6 eggs and pelt the local synagogues. Then we can throw bags of flour. And before you know it we can make Jewish Muffins.

"Jews have a right to defend themselves using the Bible as a navigation tool. Watch out these guys eat Pretzels which is just weird.

"What does everyone like to drink with their Jewish Muffins? And does anyone has good recipe for roasted Synagogue."

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During a police interview, Brown said he wrote the post, but told officers that "it was a joke and he didn’t mean any offence".

Now, Brown will be assessed by a probation officer.

He will be released on unconditional bail until his next hearing.

Brown will face his sentencing on September 1.

Following the offending message, Brown was arrested by local police several days later in March.

Detective Chief Superintendent Richard McDonagh of Sussex police previously said: "We acknowledge the deep distress and concern that can be caused by threatening, hateful and antisemitic messages to members of the Jewish community, and the wider public.

"Threats of any kind are completely unacceptable, and anyone who seeks to target individuals within communities of any faith group can expect a robust response.

"A man is in custody, and we urge people not to speculate to allow our full and thorough investigation to take place."

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