Footballer jailed over anti-Muslim tweets in wake of Drummer Lee Rigby's murder

Merseyside footballer Shaun Tuck was
jailed after sending a string of anti-
Muslim tweets in the wake of the
Woolwich murder of Drummer Lee Rigby.
Tuck, 26, a former Marine FC striker who
now plays for Witton Albion, in
Northwich, admitted using the social
network to call for mosques in the UK to
be "gassed out or bombed".
The drink-fuelled online tirade also
referred to beheading Muslim children
and called for a riot in response to the
tragedy.
Liverpool magistrates' court was told
Tuck, of Mollington Avenue, Norris Green,
had been drinking after hearing the news
of Drummer Rigby's death on May 22.
He tweeted the offensive messages over
a number of hours on that day and in to
May 23 .
Eddie Handley, prosecuting, said the
matter was reported to police and, after
being arrested, Tuck admitted sending the
tweets.
When questioned by officers he said it
was out of character and the result of his
emotions running high.
The court was told the tweets were
deleted within a matter of hours after
they were posted.
Rachel Oakdene, defending, said Tuck
worked hard, holding down a job as a
kitchen delivery assistant based in Bootle
alongside his semi-professional football
career.
She said a jail term would jeopardise both
jobs and leave him "with nothing".
Ms Oakdene added: "It is always a sad
occasion when somebody like this young
man appears before these courts.
"He is of positive good character. He is
very industrious and is a man of talent.
"The court was told Tuck, who had no
previous convictions, accepted what he
did was wrong and would face disciplinary
action both from his club and the FA.
Jailing him for 12 weeks district judge
Miriam Shelvey said Tuck had tweeted
during a period of "heightened racial
tension" when community leaders,
religious leaders and the victim's family
had called for calm.
She added: "These tweets contained
threats of violence to innocent persons,
including children, who would be victims
solely because of their religion.
"They were promoting hatred of other
community members entirely because of
their religious beliefs."
Ms Shelvey said the fact Tuck was drunk
was an aggravating factor in the case,
though she had taken into account his
early guilty plea and references to his
good character.
The court was told Tuck would be
expected to serve around half of the
sentence.