Five Muslim men have been convicted of being abusive in a protest where soldiers were called murderers in a home-coming parade.
The men shouted abusive words to The Royal Anglian Regiment during a march through Luton in March 2009.
All five men who are from Luton were convicted of using threatening abusive or insulting words and behaviour likely to cause harassment and distress. Two other men were cleared of all charges at Luton Magistrates’ Court.
Jalal Ahmed, 21, Yousaf Bashir, 29, Ziaur Rahman, 32, Shajjadar Choudhury, 31, Munim Abdul, 28, were found guilty.
The five convicted men were given two-year conditional discharges and were ordered to pay costs of £500 each.
District Judge Carolyn Mellanby said: “I have no doubt it is abusive and insulting to tell soldiers to ‘Go to hell’ – to call soldiers murderers, rapists and baby killers.
“It is not just insulting to the soldiers but to the citizens of Luton who were out on the streets that day to honour and welcome soldiers home.
“Citizens of Luton are entitled to demonstrate their support for the troops without experiencing insults and abuse.”
