Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang are attending Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today for the second day of their criminal trial. The couple are alleged to have said that a guest, Ericka Tazi, was putting herself in “bondage” for wearing Islamic dress and insulting her by calling Mohammed a “warlord”. However, the couple strongly refute the claims.
Two Christian hoteliers went on trial yesterday accused of a public order offence for criticising Islam, but the couple deny the allegations.
Ben and Sharon Vogelenzang are attending Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today for the second day of their criminal trial.
The couple are alleged to have said that a guest, Ericka Tazi, was putting herself in “bondage” for wearing Islamic dress and insulting her by calling Mohammed a “warlord”. However, the couple strongly refute the claims.
The couple, who run the Bounty House Hotel in Aintree, face a maximum fine of £5,000 if they are found guilty.
Christians yesterday gathered outside the court singing hymns and holding free speech placards.
On Monday hundreds of Christians gathered to pray about the case, concerned about its implications for free speech and religious liberty.
The Christian Institute is funding the Vogelenzangs’ legal defence. Its spokesman, Mike Judge, said: “We believe there are significant free speech and religious liberty issues at stake.”
The couple’s lawyer, David Whiting, said in September: “Ben and Sharon do not accept they were threatening, abusive or insulting.
“They are committed Christians and it is the defence’s contention that they have every right to defend their religious beliefs and explain those beliefs to others who do not hold similar views.”
The couple were arrested and charged in July under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and Section 31(1)(c) and (5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998.
The trial continues.
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Tags: Law Moral Ethical
December 9th, 2009 at 4:18 pm
What’s bemusing about the whole thing is why did this muslim lady go to such lengths?
I fear something has been said however has been denied in the courts and public domain.
January 20th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
RE; Adam Tailor, ;
WHATS BEMUSING ABOUT ALL THIS IS WHY DID THIS MUSLIM GO TO SUCH LENGTHS ? I FEAR SOMETHING HAS BEEN SAID HOWEVER HAS BEEN DENIED IN THE COURTS AND PUBLIC DOMAIN.
It was the Crown prosecution that took it forward, I thought that the police would just go and warn them actually. I was advised by another patient to report it.
The police and CPS knew they had enough evidence about that couple, thats why it was taken forward. The judge was prejudiced. Their barrister got away with harassing us all and twisting words, but thats their business isn’t it ??? thats what he got paid for and got paid extremely well may I add.
I and my witnesses know the real story and I was told I wasn’t allowed by law to talk about a key witness who was their son who witnessed the whole disgraceful attack.
He was ket hidden and quiet.
My witnesses told the truth and so did I.
They lied and lied on oath on the HOLY BIBLE !
Lets all remember I was a patient from the NHS in that Hotel.
There was another man who witnessed it all and was too frightened to come forward and now I understand now why.
I never ever spoke with my barrister to discuss my case, my muslim sisters came to court and were not allowed in but all that so called “Christian Group ” were.
Why was that group allowed to protest just minutes before my court case ??
All very peculiar don’t you think ?
There were wrong things put in every statement of all ours and when pointed out they said it was a typing error ! ????
Always remember the best form of defence is attack and thats what they did with the press and all their publicity. What a load of rubbish and lies.
The thing is its all over and done with now, they got away with a crime and now muslim sisters do not feel safe with hijabs on.
It was a test case can you all not see that ? I was used by the system. And it has made me feel so ill.
They are not true Christians.
I would never ever ring the police to report anything again, I hope the pair of liars will burn in hell, Inshaallah and with the justice of Allah they will, as they have committed a grave sin by telling lies on the Holy Bible.
January 23rd, 2010 at 4:09 am
People believe in different adult imaginary friends? Why I never!
And Mohammed was a warlord, this is historical fact.
January 23rd, 2010 at 12:47 pm
You are just typical of the uneducated ignorant people that I am talking about.
You haven’t got a clue and even the courage to put your name on.
Just shows what type of person you are.
You are probably that evil liar of the hotel owner or one of their fascist friends.
If you are, you will rot in hell for doing what you have done.. InshaAllah !!
January 23rd, 2010 at 2:09 pm
Hi Erika, folks often use a pseudonym.
I think you’ll find that the reference to ‘imaginary friends’ is a term frequently used by atheists and so not likely to be used by the hotel owners or one of their friends.