Abusive neo-Nazi jailed for 9 months

A neo-nazi who waged a campaign of racist abuse against his Asian neighbours was jailed yesterday for nine months after the judge said such behaviour must be rooted out in a civilised society.

The first time Leonard Jacques, 34, encountered the Jagessar family, he approached them as they got out of their car and shouted: "F**king smell of curry round here."

In a 20-month campaign in Camden Town, north London, Jacques made a Nazi salute at 19-year-old Sonil Jagessar and abused his mother, Catherine, who is white, telling her: "I know you, you're married to that black bloke. I know where you live."

Another time Sonil Jagessar was walking with his girlfriend to a shop when Jacques directed abuse at them by shouting" "Black bastards. Can't even walk down my own street anymore."

The Metropolitan Police discovered 20 National Front stickers in Jacques' flat in Camden, Snaresbrook Crown Court was told. He said he had been sent them by mistake, telling the jury he had ordered "Say no to drugs" stickers, but the company had run out and sent him National Front ones instead. Combat 18 patches and anti-gay posters, proclaiming "Keep the faggots out!" were also found in his home.

Judge William Kennedy said a civilised society had a responsibility to punish racial extremism. "It is ironic that those who shout the loudest about the superiority of an ethnic group are generally the most inadequate members of that group," he said. "Even so, those on the receiving end of racist abuse, even of the most puerile type, find it deeply distressing.

"Many disturbing things have been done to others for no better reason than different racial origins. For that reason civilised society must not only condemn racist behaviour but must root it out and punish it. It is simply unacceptable and racists will find no comfort here."