Man posted threatening messages on social media

A man has appeared in court after posting threatening messages with racist sentiments on social media.

Richard Britton, 31, from Wombourne in Staffordshire, pleaded guilty at Wolverhampton Crown Court on Wednesday to two charges dating back to February and March 2023.

Britton displayed anti-Islamic, racist and anti-immigration sentiments and used threatening language on his social media account, police said. He also shared images of weapons online and encouraged others to do the same.

He will be sentenced on 25 July.

He was charged with one count of publishing written material to stir up racial hatred as well as one count of publishing threatening written material intended to stir up religious or sexual orientation hatred.

Officers said they arrested Britton during a pre-planned operation on 26 April 2023.

When they searched his address, they recovered weapons, fireworks and terrorism material that matched those in his social media posts.

Det Supt Annie Miller, said: "We work hard to stop terrorism. Our absolute priority is to ensure the safety and security of the people who live, work and visit the West Midlands area."

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