October 12, 2018 5.40 pm This story is over 65 months old

Lincoln man guilty of ‘Punish a Muslim Day’ letters

He signed off letters with “Muslim Slayer”
Photo: Rowaida Abdelaziz/Twitter

A Lincoln man described as a white supremacist has pleaded guilty to sending threatening letters and packages after he was arrested by counter terrorism police.

David Parnham, 35, of St Andrews Close in Lincoln was arrested by Counter Terrorism Policing North East, supported by Lincolnshire Police in June.

An investigation was launched into letters which encouraged people to inflict violence on Muslims in a point scoring ‘game’. Other letters threatened extreme violence directly to Muslim people and families.

He was later charged with 14 offences including soliciting murder, a bomb hoax and sending fake noxious substances.

He is also said to have targeted high profile figures like the Prime Minister and the Queen of England with letters containing ‘white powder’ and sinister phrases.

Some of his ‘jigsaw’ correspondence including a picture of a person being decapitated with a sword with Swastika insignia.

Parnham, who worked at the City of Lincoln Council in a junior administrative role, pleaded guilty at the Old Bailey on Friday, October 12 and will be remanded in custody until November 23 when he will be sentenced.

Detective Chief Superintendent Martin Snowden is the Head of Counter Terrorism Policing North East. He said: “This case has affected a substantial number of victims across the country and beyond. The abusive, racist and threatening language used in the letters has caused major distress.

“A wide range of victims received letters but predominantly addresses associated with Mosques were targeted by Parnham.

“In addition to the specific recipients of the letters, the circulation of the hateful threats online caused further upset and anguish to many more people.

“Many Muslim communities strongly believed there was a real threat to their safety which understandably caused fear, offence and worry.

“I want to reassure all communities that the police are committed to tackling all forms of toxic extremist ideology which has the potential to undermine public safety and security.

“We will take action against any criminal behaviour which seeks to undermine society, especially where crimes are motivated by hate.”