© Northumbria Police
People promoting "hostility" towards a religion or the transgendered online could get much harsher sentences, of up to six years in jail,
especial if they have a large online audience according to new proposals.
The Sentencing Council for England and Wales has
drafted changes to public order offences, including anyone
perceived as targeting online a "protected characteristics" including "race; sex; disability; age; sexual orientation; religion or belief; pregnancy and maternity; and gender reassignment."
The most severe punishments will be handed to those "in a position of trust, authority or influence and abuses their position to stir up hatred," such as political leaders or figureheads and anyone whose offences are "persistent."
If an "offender was a member of, or was
associated with, a group promoting hostility based on race or religion," their sentence will also be harsher.
The Sentencing Council believes that the use of social media, YouTube, and other "websites" to stir hatred is a growing problem -
despite the number of prosecutions remain relatively low.
"Volumes of these offences are extremely low and there have been no offenders sentenced for some offences," the Sentencing Council said.
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