‘Smiling and sharpening the knife’: Greater Manchester man encouraged violence against minority groups

A Greater Manchester man has been found guilty of posting extremist material online with the intent to incite racial hatred.

Sean Dowd, 61, of Edgar Street in Ramsbottom, was arrested by counter-terrorism officers in March 2023 after being identified as the person behind a social media account that shared dozens of posts antisemites, racists and xenophobes.

A number of these posts encouraged violence against various communities and praised those who had previously carried out terrorist attacks.

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At the time of his arrest, Dowd’s account had 200 followers and his profile bio read: “smiling and sharpening my knife.”

Sean Dowd (15/02/1963), of Edgar Street, Ramsbottom, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court yesterday (Thursday 25 July 2024) to 27 months in prison.

Dowd had previously pleaded guilty to 10 counts of publishing/distributing written material which was threatening, abusive or offensive, with intent to incite racial hatred, contrary to section 19(1) of the Public Order Act 1986.

He also pleaded guilty to three counts of publishing/distributing written material which was threatening, intending to incite religious hatred, contrary to section 29(C) of the Public Order Act 1986.

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Appearing at Manchester Crown Court on Thursday 25 July 2024, a judge sentenced Dowd to 27 months in prison.

Speaking after the sentence, CTPNW (North West Counter Terrorism Police) Head of Investigations Detective Constable Andy Meeks said: “Over a number of months, Sean Dowd repeatedly shared offensive online posts which encouraged violence and anger towards minority communities.

“Unfortunately, we know all too well how serious the online activity of hateful individuals can be, so I welcome the custodial sentence imposed by the judge today.

“This is another case which highlights the potential dangers of negative online activity, so I would like to take this opportunity to continue to urge anyone who comes across hateful, violent or extremist content to report it to the police as a matter of urgency so that action can be taken. Taken.”