A United Kingdom court has convicted Glenn Gibbins, a 66-year-old councillor representing the Hylton Castle ward on Sunderland City Council, over a grossly offensive social media post directed at the city’s Nigerian residents. District Judge Zoe Passfield delivered the verdict at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court in South Shields on Monday, November 9, 2026, sentencing Gibbins to a 12-month community order featuring 150 hours of unpaid work.
The case stems from a March 2024 Facebook post that surfaced publicly after anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate audited candidate social media activity following local council elections. The post stated;”Carnt believe the amount of nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!” Following an investigation by Northumbria Police, charges were brought under the Communications Act for sending a grossly offensive message.
During the hearing, prosecuting lawyer Emma Dowling argued that the statement stripped victims of their dignity, stating; “The comment about melting them down conjures up despicable images. It implies that Nigerians were somewhat less than human, stripping people in that group of humanity.” Gibbins, defending his actions, described the message as “tongue in cheek,” “cheeky,” and a “stupid, unfunny joke” written after drinking beers, claiming he never intended for anyone to interpret it literally.
Rejecting the defense’s argument, District Judge Zoe Passfield ruled; “The post was nothing more and nothing less than a grossly offensive comment about members of the Nigerian community in Sunderland and Mr Gibbins’ views as to their status, or otherwise, as human beings.” The remarks sparked significant distress and public outcry among local residents.
Giving evidence in court, Godwin Ejeh, a prominent leader within Sunderland’s Nigerian community and former council candidate, described leading a protest outside Sunderland City Hall when Gibbins was due to be sworn in. ”We are talking about humanity here, it’s way beyond politics,” Ejeh told the court, noting that members of the community expressed deep concerns for their personal safety and that of their families.
Gibbins, who ran under the Reform UK banner, was suspended by the party following the disclosure of the post. A spokesperson for Reform UK previously noted that the party took immediate action to suspend his membership pending the trial outcome. Defense counsel indicated that Gibbins plans to appeal the conviction to the Crown Court.
