A suspended Reform UK councilor, Glenn Gibbins, has been convicted after sharing a demeaning Facebook post suggesting that Nigerians should be “melted down” and “used to fill potholes.”
Mr Glibbins, elected to Sunderland City Council in May, made the post in March 2024, two years before his election.
“Can’t believe amount of nigerians in town….. should melt them all down and fill in the potholes!!’ he wrote.
During his trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, Mr Gibblins defended the comments, describing them as a “tongue in cheek” joke.
However, District Judge Zoe Passfield ruled that the social media post was grossly offensive and breached the Malicious Communications Act.
He was convicted following the trial and sentenced to a 12-month community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work.
His legal team said Gibbins intended to appeal the verdict at the Crown Court later.
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