Man jailed for 18 months for two anti-immigration tweets

Luke Yarwood, 36, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for posting two anti-immigration tweets viewed only 33 times.

His messages came after a deadly car attack in Germany in December 2024 and were reported to authorities by his brother-in-law following family disagreements.

Prosecutors highlighted that Yarwood's tweets had the potential to incite violence, despite his barrister claiming they were inconsequential. Judge Jonathan Fuller condemned the posts as "odious," and said,

"You are entitled to express your views, but freedom of speech is not an absolute right, it's a qualified one, what the law prohibits is the stirring up of racial hatred."

Yarwood's online behavior showed a preoccupation with immigrants and Islam, leading to his conviction amidst a rising tension over asylum seekers in the UK.