Man accused of stirring up racial hatred by publishing anti-Semitic posts blaming the Jews for the Covid pandemic faces trial

A man accused of stirring up racial hatred by publishing anti-Semitic posts blaming Jews for the Covid pandemic is facing trial.  

Matthew Henegan, 35, who was charged with inciting racial hatred, published three posts - titled ‘Corona Virus Hoax Full Edition’, ‘Corona Virus Hoax Supplement’ and ‘Corona Virus Hoax Update - How You Are Being Controlled,’ it is claimed.

He shared the items on the website archive.org, an American digital library which allows anyone to upload and download content.

He has previously appeared at the Old Bailey wearing a red swastika armband, associated with the Nazis, for which he was expelled from the courtroom by the Judge. 

Matthew Henegan, 35, is facing trial after he was charged with inciting racial hatred by publishing three anti-Semitic posts which blamed Jews for the Covid pandemic. Pictured: The Old Bailey where Henegan was previously expelled for wearing a swastika 

Henegan also stands accused of distributing leaflets to addresses in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, where he lives, and owning a copy of ‘How to Make Armour Piercing Bullets’ in breach of anti-terrorism laws.

Judge Simon Mayo QC ordered a psychiatric report into Henegan but said: ‘I am not satisfied at this time that Mr Henegan suffers a condition of a nature or degree that means he must be detained in hospital.’

Mr Henegan’s trial is provisionally set for 8 November this year. 

Henegan was recently transferred from HMP Belmarsh to HMP Winchester, an institution better equipped to handle the terrorism aspect of his offences.

Simon Ray, for Henegan, today told the court that his client had a history of mental health issues.

Ray said: ‘He may have a delusional disorder or he may have a paranoid disorder but until he’s admitted to hospital I won’t know for sure.’