Published Date:
04 June 2009
A Preston man, seeking asylum in the United States after being convicted of hate speech crimes in the UK will be deported after nearly a year in US custody.
Stephen Whittle, 42, and Simon Sheppard, 52, of Selby, fled in July 2008 after being convicted of publishing hate speech against Jews and other groups on their website.
The men sought asylum under America's free speech protections, claiming they were being persecuted for their right-wing views.
They were taken into custody at Los Angeles International Airport when they asked a uniformed US official for help.
An immigration judge ordered that the men be deported to the UK to face justice, the Los Angeles Times reported.
Sheppard and Whittle fled the UK last July during a trial at Leeds Crown Court after being released on bail while the jury deliberated over further charges after convicting them on several counts.
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Last Updated:
04 June 2009 12:56 PM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Preston
