Sunderland City Councillor Glenn Gibbins, 66, has been convicted of malicious communication after posting on Facebook that Nigerians should be melted down and used to fill potholes. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 150 hours of unpaid work at South Tyneside Magistrates' Court.
Gibbins, who was already suspended by Reform UK, made the post in March 2024, two years before he was elected. The post came to light when Hope Not Hate reviewed his social media before the local elections. He argued in court that it was a “naughty”, tongue-in-cheek joke.
Court Proceedings and Sentencing
District Judge Zoe Passfield assessed that the post was not just offensive, but grossly so. Gibbins' legal team said he intended to appeal at the Crown Court later.
Gibbins posted: “Carnt believe the amount of nigerians in town… should melt them all down and fill in the pot holes!!”
Emma Dowling, prosecuting, said: “The comment about melting them down conjures up despicable images.” She said it implied that Nigerians were “somewhat less than human, stripping people in that group of humanity”.
Community Impact and Victim Statement
Godwin Ejeh, a community leader for Nigerians in Sunderland, gave evidence that he led a protest outside the City Hall building when Gibbins should have been sworn in, hoping the councillor would apologise. Gibbins did not attend the ceremony.
Mr Ejeh, who stood as a Liberal Democrat councillor in the May elections, denied trying to make political capital from the situation, telling the court: “We are talking about humanity here, it’s way beyond politics.” He said Nigerians in the city were “distressed” for their safety and the safety of their children.
In a victim impact statement, he said: “Comments that were said to be a big joke have had a great impact on my community and I believe this is not something a human should have to put up with.”
Defence and Aftermath
Gibbins, a divorced former salesman who runs a stall in Sunderland city centre printing novelty gifts, told the court: “I thought it was a tongue-in-cheek joke. It was an unreal scenario. No-one took it literally.” He said he had “banter” with Nigerians at his stall earlier that day and that the conversation was good fun.
Adam King, defending, said the post was “unfunny” and “an unpleasant joke/non-joke”. He noted that professional comedians such as Jo Brand and Jimmy Carr had joked about similar topics without prosecution. After the conviction, Mr King said Gibbins had lost his concession at the shopping mall, adding: “Financially, he is on his uppers.”
District Judge Passfield said Gibbins now accepted that his post was offensive, but not grossly so, and maintained it was a joke. She noted he had no previous convictions and had not offended since the post. She considered his right to free expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights but decided the post was not a genuine expression of political views.
Gibbins must pay £650 court costs and £114 surcharge, but the district judge did not make a compensation order. Labour Party chairwoman Bridget Phillipson said the verdict “confirms Reform’s ranks are riddled with blatant racism”. She added: “Reform knew Gibbins had made these comments, but they allowed him to stand to represent Sunderland. Rather than acting to root out racism, it took a police investigation to force Gibbins out of the party.”
