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80 year old fined for homophobic abuse

Eighty year old woman who yelled homophobic abuse at a man in Lewes has been fined £249.

The victim was abused outside his shop in Cliffe High Street during a row with a woman about how she had parked outside the shop, as it was interfering with his business.

The woman, Patricia Pavey, was issued with a parking ticket by a traffic enforcement officer, as her vehicle was not moved within the required three hour period. An argument broke out first between the officer and the defendant and the victim joined in on the discussion, challenging the woman about her poor parking and her behaviour towards him.

She then became angry with the victim for reporting her over her parking and made homophobic comments towards him.

Following a trial at Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Ms. Pavey was convicted of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

Had it not been for the homophobic nature of the comments, she would only have been fined £166. She was also ordered to pay £250 and a victim surcharge of £30.

A restraining order was also imposed, meaning she cannot park outside the victim’s shop for two years.

Gareth Morgan, from the CPS, said: “We all know that issues such as parking can be emotive subjects, but there is no place in our society for homophobic language to be used, whatever the situation is. It is completely unacceptable and that is why any form of hate crime is taken so seriously by the CPS, be it homophobic, transphobic, racist, religious or disability.

“The courts also take these matters seriously and that’s why the fine was increased in this case, with a sentencing uplift, so anyone committing any hate crime, be it verbal or physical abuse can expect to receive an increased sentence.”

Tackling hate crime reamins one of the priorities for CPS South East, which serves Kent, Surrey and Sussex and they aim to promote successful convictions on hate crimes.

For more information about the work they are doing to tackle hate crime, including other convictions, click here:

 

LGBT Labour urge universal access to PrEP for everyone ASAP

Last week, NHS England announced that Pre-exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) will be available on prescription from the NHS to 10,000 people as part of a three-year trial from September 1.

The announcement follows in the footsteps of Wales as opposed to Scotland where the drug is already available on prescription.

Campaigners in Northern Ireland are increasingly concerned about how they are falling behind the rest of the UK.

Ian Dylan Thomas, The Co-Chair of LGBT Labour, said: “While we welcome this step from NHS England we are concerned that it doesn’t go far enough in the battle against HIV. During the 2017 general election we made a pledge to work towards universal provision of PrEP across the United Kingdom and we won’t stop until that is achieved.”

Sharon Hodgson MP
Sharon Hodgson MP

Sharon Hodgson MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Public Health, added: “The start of the PrEP trial is welcome and long overdue after months of delays and heel-dragging by the Government.

“The evidence shows just how transformative this drug can be as part of our approach to HIV prevention and ending the transmission of this life-changing infection. This trial will take us one step closer to fully understanding the benefits of PrEP.

“Now it is important that this trial is rolled out as quickly as possible across the country to protect individuals who are exposed to HIV and help take us one step closer to ending the spread of HIV in society.”

Greg Owen
Greg Owen

Co-Founder of the I Want PrEP Now Campaign, Greg Owen, said: “While it is great that we finally have a start date for PrEP Impact. The trial is already late. The suggestion that it will take until April 2018 for all participating clinics to be fully onboard and providing PrEP to those most at risk of HIV infection is unacceptable.

“This trial and the eventual provision of PrEP must not further compound existing health inequalities faced by all groups disproportionately affected by HIV.” 

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