Two individuals who expressed their hatred towards Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, particularly targeting their young son Archie, on a neo-Nazi podcast have been sentenced to prison for terrorism-related offenses.
Christopher Gibbons and Tyron Patton Walsh were handed 11 and 10-year sentences respectively at Kingston Crown Court on Thursday.
In addition to their imprisonment, the pair will be subject to a 15-year notification order and will serve three years on license upon release.
During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Gibbons, 40, referred to Archie as a creature that should be eliminated, and he called for Harry to be prosecuted and executed for treason.
These remarks were made on an extreme right-wing radio show hosted by Gibbons and Patton Walsh, 34.
The court also learned that Patton Walsh held deeply offensive views.
Under the aliases Christopher White and Joseph Walsh, the duo aired a series of repugnant rants that combined homophobia, racism, antisemitism, and Islamophobia.
When authorities intercepted the podcast, initially known as Lone Wolf Radio before rebranding as Black Wolf Radio in 2020, it had garnered 9,000 views and 128 subscribers.
Patton Walsh, residing in Romford, East London, committed his offenses between March and October 2019, while Gibbons, from Carshalton, South London, engaged in similar activities from April 2018 to February 2020.
The trial took place last year, resulting in their conviction on terrorism charges.
Judge Peter Lodacasey addressed the court, describing the men as dedicated and unapologetic white supremacists who used their show to legitimize their extremist beliefs.
He further stated that their desire was to live in a world dominated solely by white individuals, excluding other races, religions, and s**ual orientations.
While acknowledging their entitlement to hold such beliefs in a democratic society, the judge emphasized that their actions went beyond the limits of acceptable behavior.
By assuming the format of a radio show, Gibbons and Patton Walsh attempted to cloak their language and iconography, which were designed to incite acts of extreme right-wing terrorism.
Their rejection of democratic processes and endorsement of hate crimes and violence aligned with the ideologies of neo-Nazi groups.
They advocated for accelerationism, an extreme right-wing ideology that seeks the rapid and violent collapse of our diverse society, aiming to establish a racially homogeneous community with like-minded white individuals at its core.
The sentencing of Gibbons and Patton Walsh serves as a reminder that freedom of speech, while protected, does not extend to promoting violence or engaging in acts of terrorism.
Their actions were deemed a threat to the safety and well-being of society.
As they begin their respective prison terms, it is hoped that their punishment will deter others from spreading hatred and extremism, fostering a more inclusive and tolerant world.