King’s Lynn man appears in court charged with racist graffiti on proposed Islamic community centre

A King’s Lynn man has appeared in court today (Thursday) accused of daubing racist graffiti on a building earmarked to become an Islamic community centre.

Michael Curtis, of Pleasant Court, is charged with writing racially aggravated comments on the former Queen’s Arms pub with intent to cause alarm, distress and harassment. The 44-year-old entered no plea and will face trial at Norwich Crown Court after Lynn magistrates declined jurisdiction on the matter.

Mr Curtis was found to be carrying a can of black aerosol paint when he was stopped by police near the vacant pub in London Road at 12.30am on February 27. Offensive graffiti and drawings targeted directly at the Islamic community were found scrawled on the side of the building.

The hearing was adjourned until April 26 when Mr Curtis will be committed to crown court. He was granted conditional bail and must not be found carrying aerosol spray paint.

EDP 24, 15 March 2012

Update:  See also Lynn News, 16 April 2012