By-election candidate found guilty of inciting hate with Hitler blog, is bailed

A by-election candidate convicted of inciting anti-Semitic hatred has been bailed for a month, after demanding to see a lawyer before she is sentenced.

Barbara Fielding-Morriss, who used a blog to praise Adolf Hitler and call for new and better death camps, had previously refused to have legal representation in court.

The 79-year-old, who stood as a candidate in last years Stoke-on-Trent Central by-election and last Junes general election, was due to be sentenced on Friday by Recorder Julian Taylor.

But Fielding-Morriss, of Draycott, Staffordshire told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court that she wanted to seek legal aid with a view to appointing a solicitor or a barrister.

The independent candidate, who polled 137 by-election votes (0.6%) and received 210 votes (also 0.6%) at the general election, was found guilty on Thursday of three counts of stirring up racial hatred between September 2016 and February last year.

As well as referring to Hitler as clever and brilliant, Fielding-Morriss also used her campaign website to liken immigrants and Jews to termites.

Adjourning the case, Recorder Taylor told the pensioner: In this case – because of the sensitivities of it – I feel that I ought to give the defendant one chance to seek legal advice but it will not be adjourned again.

These offences carry a maximum sentence of seven years imprisonment.

You have had plenty of time to obtain legal representation and you should not have left it until this morning to tell me you now want the services of a solicitor.

Fielding-Morriss is due back in court on July 20.