Nadine Osman

A man who went into a Sainsbury’s and stuck ‘beware halal is barbaric and funds terrorism’ stickers on meat has been given a month-long curfew on July 23.

Liam Edwards pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage on the day of his trial. The 29 year-old stuck nine stickers with the hashtag #banhalal on halal poultry products after obtaining the stickers over the internet.

Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court was told that CCTV captured Edwards going into the supermarket on Regent Road, Salford, on February 20 with his girlfriend and two young children.

Staff at the store became aware of the stickers on various packets of chicken breasts, thighs and a whole chicken. Upon searching the hashtag term on Twitter, staff found images of the stickers on trollies and point of sale displays.

Prosecutor Lisa Connor said “He accepted he had been in possession of the stickers and placed them on various items. He got involved in a Twitter conversation about halal and maintains that his whole motivation was his concern for the way in which halal meat is obtained and what happens in abattoirs. ”

“He maintained he wasn’t motivated by any racial prejudice he just wanted to highlight the cruelty involved. He admitted he was sorry for his actions.”