Far-right video streamer who enjoyed watching attacks on Jewish people is jailed
An anti-semitic video streamer who used his spare bedroom to create videos celebrating far-right terrorism has been jailed for four years.
Richard Hesketh, 36, of Manchester, dressed up as alter ego ‘George’ in his “shockingly offensive” videos, which were viewed by millions.
Counter-terrorism police were first alerted to his online activity by anti-semitism charity The Community Security Trust.
The charity was concerned about the videos uploaded to hosting channel 'BitChute', as they had 10,000 subscribers and a combined figure of two million views.
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During the investigation, officers searched Hesketh's home in Middleton, where they found numerous mobile phones and packs of sim cards.
Following an inspection of these devices, police discovered large amounts of anti-Semitic imagery, information on conspiracy theories and videos.
On Friday, Hesketh was sentenced to four years imprisonment at Manchester Crown Court after pleading guilty to seven counts of inciting racial hatred dating from 2018 to 2020.
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Detective Superintendent Will Chatterton, of Counter Terrorism Policing North West, said: "Hesketh shared as well as created hundreds of shockingly offensive videos and content on social media, which undoubtedly incited hatred towards the Jewish community.
"In police interview, Hesketh showed no remorse and even continued to upload offensive material to his social media channels after he was released under investigation.
"Hesketh enjoyed viewing videos of serious attacks on Jewish people and even made comments referring to his disappointment that the attacker in one video did not kill the victim, showing just how depraved his beliefs are.
“Peddling this mindset across the internet is dangerous and at the same time incredibly upsetting to our communities.
"This case highlights that right-wing terrorism will not be tolerated in any shape or form and we will do all we can to bring these offenders to justice.
"I am pleased that Hesketh will no longer be able to continue his campaign of abuse and I really do hope that his time in prison is spent reflecting upon his appalling behaviour".
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