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Hitler-worshipper who claimed Jews were behind a Covid-19 'hoax' faces jail

Matthew Henegan has been convicted for publishing, distributing or possessing material intended to stir racial hatred

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A neo-Nazi who called himself the “Fuhrer”, grew a Hitler moustache and claimed Jewish people were behind a Covid-19 “hoax” is facing jail.

Matthew Henegan, 36, accused Jewish people of staging terror attacks using “crisis actors” - a conspiracy theory term for people posing as victims and witnesses of atrocities.

The long-haired Nazi produced an hour-long film accusing the Jewish population of controlling the police, economy and media.

But he claimed his toothbrush moustache was not grown in homage to the Nazi dictator.

Henegan told the jury: “You may see me, with my moustache, and think of it as a Hitler moustache, rather than Charlie Chaplin or Oliver Hardy.

“It is clearly your diseased mind that influences your thoughts.”

When asked if he was a National Socialist, he replied: “Yes, I do not pretend otherwise.”

He was convicted for publishing, distributing or possessing material intended to stir racial hatred on six counts and one count of possessing a document useful to a terrorist after just under 11 hours of jury deliberation.

In many of the files he referred to Jews as “k*kes”, calling them filthy and sadistic as well as referring to them as “creatures”.

Judge Nigel Lickley said: “You have to understand that because of the convictions now recorded against you, you are facing a custodial sentence.

"The length of that custodial sentence and whether it is immediate or suspended are matters I will decide on the next occasion.

“I have no firm view at the moment other than all sentencing options are open and that includes immediate custody.”

Police raided Henegan’s home in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, on 17 April and found a Nazi swastika armband and leaflets referring to Hitler as “Your Saviour”.

He also kept a copy of a document entitled “How to Make Armour Piercing Bullets” in breach of anti-terrorism laws, the court has heard.

Henegan denied two counts of publishing material to stir up racial hatred, three counts of distributing material to stir up racial hatred, possession of material likely to stir up racial hatred, and possession of a document which is of use to a terrorist.

He will be sentenced at the Old Bailey on January 14 next year.







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