Carlisle Man Denies Posting Online Videos Allegedly Intended to Stir Up Racial Hatred

A Carlisle man accused of sharing online video clips allegedly intended to stir up racial hatred has denied the charge during a court hearing.

Brandon Watson, 25, appeared before Carlisle Magistrates’ Court through a video link connection where he formally entered a not guilty plea to the allegation.

Prosecutors claim Watson distributed video recordings on social media containing material described as threatening, abusive, or insulting. The prosecution alleges the content was intended to stir up racial hatred or was likely to do so based on the circumstances surrounding the posts.

The charge relates to alleged activity said to have taken place between April 1 and April 30 this year. Police linked the investigation to an incident reported on English Street in Carlisle on April 30.

During the hearing, prosecutor Diane Jackson told the court that several video clips had allegedly been uploaded online by Watson. The case was later referred to Carlisle Crown Court by District Judge Philip Holden for further proceedings.

Watson, who is from Housesteads Road in Carlisle, is scheduled to appear before crown court judges on June 1 for a plea and trial preparation hearing.

The defendant is also due to face a separate allegation connected to an incident at a Carlisle takeaway earlier this year. Prosecutors claim a man suffered facial injuries during the reported assault.

Watson has been remanded in custody until his next court appearance. As the hearing ended, he reportedly told the judge: “I am not racist.

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