Three Teenagers Receive Sentences for Vandalizing Rochdale Cenotaph
Court and police authorities have emphasized that any criminal damage to cenotaphs will not be tolerated and will be addressed in a strong manner.
Manchester Magistrates’ Court has recently sentenced three teenagers for graffitiing a cenotaph with “Free Palestine” vandalism, classifying it as criminal damage.
The incident occurred in Rochdale on Nov. 7, prior to Remembrance Sunday. Police had increased security at the memorial due to the impact the offense had on the local community and veterans.
The individuals involved, 18-year-old Adeem Ahmed, Amaan Tariq, and an unnamed 17-year-old, were given six-month community orders for defacing Rochdale Cenotaph.
District Judge Joanne Hirst informed the young men that defiling a cenotaph is a severe offense and not a typical case of criminal damage.
She stressed the significance of respecting war memorials, stating, “War memorials are generally expected to be treated with respect.”
Although the teenagers admitted to causing criminal damage, they denied any racial aggravation. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to pursue a trial due to insufficient evidence.
Aside from the community orders, the offenders were also fined £140 in compensation along with additional court costs and victim surcharge fees.
Following the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Stuart Round reiterated the seriousness with which the police approach criminal damage towards cenotaphs, emphasizing that those responsible would be held accountable.
In a separate incident on Nov. 6, two teenagers were sentenced for damaging poppy wreaths at the Cenotaph using anti-Semitic language. The CPS described their actions as “profoundly disrespectful” and emphasized their commitment to prosecuting hate speech.
The teenagers claimed they were motivated by the removal of Palestinian flags from the Cenotaph, as seen in a social media video. This incident added to the emotional distress caused in the community by damage to the memorial.
Looking ahead, authorities are committed to upholding the law and ensuring that acts of disrespect or criminality towards war memorials are dealt with rigorously.
