'Pikey' sign leads to race hate charge

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.thisiskent.co.uk/Pikey-sign- ... z2kiwOSgD6" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A HAWKHURST man is facing trial after posting a sign outside his house that branded his village "Pikeyville".
David Jell, 54, of Queens Road in Hawkhurst, pinned the note to the postman on his front door.

It read: "Mr Postman, if I am away from Pikeyville. Any parcels or signed for delivery please leave at No4 (sic) only or return to sorting office for collection, many thanks. Beware of pikeys."

Jell was charged with racially-aggravated harassment by writing and the use of threatening words to cause harassment, alarm or distress, and pleaded not guilty.

On Wednesday last week, Sevenoaks Magistrates Court heard the main issue surrounding the case was the word "pikey" and how it is currently defined.

Prosecuting, Edward Parton, said the note "demonstrated hostility to a racial group".

He said: "They (neighbours) have said this is derogatory to the people of Hawkhurst."

But Matthew Nickolls, defending, said: "The defendant admits being the author of the note but disputes the definition of the word
pikey. He believes the word's meaning has been misconstrued."

Jell was granted unconditional bail and will return to Sevenoaks Magistrate's Court for trial on February 27.


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[fishtank]

David Jell, 54, of Queens Road in Hawkhurst, pinned the note to the postman.

Sounds painful.

[Lincox]

What was the postman doing on his front door? Relieving him/herself, juggling post, parcels and PDA simultaneously, having a gander through the keyhole Having a 20minute break

[Judgee]

David Jell, 54, of Queens Road in Hawkhurst, pinned the note to the postman.

Sounds painful.

Hehe that's how I read it at first too!

[TrueBlueTerrier]

'Pikeyville' Man Banned from Carrying Felt-tip Pens on Race Hate Charge

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A man banned from carrying felt-tip pens is facing prison time after leaving an allegedly racist note for his postman outside his home.

David Jell, 54, of Hawkhurst, Kent, is accused of using words likely to cause harassment and alarm after leaving the note which branded his village "Pikeyville".

Neighbours alerted the police after seeing the message that read: "Mr Postman, if I am away from Pikeyville, any parcels or signed-for delivery please leave at No4 only or return to sorting office for collection, many thanks. Beware of pikeys."

He was arrested and charged with racially aggravated harassment. He pleaded not guilty.

Jell's lawyer, Matthew Nickolls, told the court that the definition of "pikey" had been misconstrued. Pikey is a derogatory slang term used to Travellers.

"The defendant admits being the author of the note but disputes the definition of the word 'pikey'," he said.

Jell was granted unconditional bail and is scheduled to return to Sevenoaks Magistrate's Court on 27 February.

In 2009, he was subjected to an Asbo banning him from carrying felt tip pens in public after writing abusive comments about women in public lavatories and buses.