"Gender-Fluid" Southampton Man in Court for Wearing Burqa

A man who attended an anti-immigration protest wearing a burqa has appeared in court accused of concealing his identity.

Timothy Justin Miller, 76, of Sherwood Avenue, Hedge End, Southampton, denied an offence of concealing his identity at a protest when he appeared at Portsmouth Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 14th October 2026.

This is an offence under section 157 of the Crime and Policing Act 2026, which has a maximum sentence on summary conviction of one months' custody and/or a fine at level 3 (£1,000).

Miller set tongues wagging when he was spotted attending the 12th September's protest in Portsmouth city centre wearing a niqab, which is a veil worn by some Muslim women that covers almost the entirety of the face.

Hampshire Constabulary had previously warned that anyone concealing their identity at the protest would be liable to arrest under section 157.

Miller was overheard explaining his choice of attire to an officer.

"I'm converting to Islam and I'm gender-fluid and I feel very comfortable in this here and I like mixing with people," the 76-year-old told a bemused looking sergeant.

Miller donned the same religious attire to attend court this morning. He was unrepresented, but explained that he was crowdfunding to raise funds to cover representation at the trial.

Holding a black handbag throughout the hearing, he briefly lifted his veil when asked to confirm his identity by District Judge Stephen Apted.

When asked to enter a plea, Miller replied: "As I am in every police camera, I am not guilty."

Asked about the basis of his defence, he replied that he was relying on the same religious exemption that would be afforded to Islamic women.

He added: "The issue quite simply is we should be all living under one law of which I think everybody is under agreement."

When asked by DJ Apted if he was a practising Muslim, Miller said: "I do not feel I should answer these questions, as nobody else is asked to answer them."

He later clarified that he was studying the Islamic faith "as it seems to be the most beneficial religion to be noticed in this climate today". 

The recently introduced section 157 powers can only be used in a designated place with the pre-requisite authority and notice, as outlined in section 158.

They allow officers to arrest anyone in that locality wearing or otherwise using any item to conceal their identity or that of any other person.

The legislation does not mention anything in relation to intent, so it is assumed that the mere act of a person concealing their identity, whether deliberate or inadvertent, is enough to constitute an offence.

Section 157(2) states that a person charged with an offence has a defence if they can prove that the item concealing their identity was used for the purposes of health, religious observance or employment.

In my view, the way the legislation is drafted is a potential minefield of unenforceability.

Given sensitivities around religion and gender identity, the court might have some difficulty rejecting a defence on either of these grounds.

Miller was granted unconditional bail until his trial at the same court on Tuesday, 16th February 2027. He had requested the trial to take place before a jury at the Crown Court, but was informed that this option was unavailable given the nature of the (summary) offence.

This certainly will be an interesting case to follow.

For what it's worth, I really can't see the trial proceeding.

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Suffolk Man With Samurai Sword Smashed Police Car Window

A Suffolk man smashed a police car window before officers found a samurai sword in the boot of his own vehicle.

Jano Akkuratov, 42, an Estonian national, of Huntingfield, Halesworth, admitted offences of criminal damage and possession of a bladed article when he appeared at Ipswich Magistrates' Court on Monday, 14th September 2026.

He was sentenced by the same court on Wednesday, 7th October 2026.

Possession of a bladed article is an offence under section 139(1) of the Criminal Justice Act 1988. The offence, which is triable either way, has a maximum sentence of 12 months' custody on summary conviction; 4 years' custody on conviction on indictment.

Magistrates heard that police had cause to attend Akkuratov's property on Friday, 26th September 2025.

Whilst there he became aggressive and launched himself forward with such force that his head went through the rear window of a police car. The 42-year-old is then said to have momentarily lost consciousness before suffering from a seizure.

Officers then turned their attention to his car, which was parked nearby. On searching the boot of the vehicle they discovered a samurai sword, which is a prohibited item even in a private place.

Akkuratov was fined £307 and ordered to pay £100 in compensation, £123 surcharge and £85 towards costs.

Magistrates also ordered the forfeiture and destruction of the sword.

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Jury Reforms Remain on the Table

News yesterday that the new Secretary of State for Justice, the Rt. Hon. Alex Norris MP, plans to press ahead with reforms to trial by jury.

Proposed changes in legislation would also extend the sentencing powers of the Magistrates' Court to 18 months for a single either way offence, with the door left ajar to increase that even further to 24 months via secondary legislation.

The reforms, first proposed by former Justice Secretary the Rt. Hon. David Lammy MP, received what can only be described as a rather tepid reception from members of the legal profession. The installation of a new Prime Minister provided the ideal opportunity to quietly euthanise the controversial reforms, but apparently the Burnham Ministry wishes to press ahead with them regardless.

The Government is apparently very, very keen to push as many cases as possible through the Magistrates' Court. The Magistrates' Court has two significant advantages over the Crown Court - cases can be processed much faster and at a fraction of the cost. However, there are serious concerns about curtailing the right of defendants to elect a trial by jury. Faster and cheaper is not necessarily the best option in the interests of justice.

I have previously set out my stall on this matter, as you can read in an earlier article. In short, I would be seeking efficiencies in the system as it currently exists.

Update (4/10/26): In direct contradiction of the Telegraph article linked about, reports today indicate that Burnham is indeed poised to pull the plug on jury reforms.

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Perverted Powys Pensioner Downloaded Indecent Images

A perverted Powys pensioner was snared by police after his bank account was linked to the trade in indecent images.

John Agnew, 72, of Pentybont near Llandrindod Wells, admitted the following offences when he appeared at Llandrindod Wells Magistrates' Court on Tuesday, 29th September 2026:

• Possession of a category A indecent photograph of a child;
• Two offences of possession of a category B indecent photograph of a child;
• Possession of an extreme pornographic image involving an animal.

Category A images feature penetrative sexual activity; category B images feature non-penetrative sexual activity.

Possession of an indecent photograph of a child is an offence under section 1 of the Protection of Children Act 1978. It is an either way offence with a maximum sentence of 10 years' custody on conviction on indictment, 12 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.

Magistrates heard that police raided Agnew's home on 13th February 2025, as a result of intelligence received in relation to his banking activities.

Several devices were seized, subsequent analysis of which revealed his sickening stash of images.

The 72-year-old has no previous convictions.

Gavin Rofer, mitigating, said: "The primary consideration now is whether he is sentenced here or in the crown court. He has entered guilty pleas to all matters at the first opportunity.

"It is rare to see just one image of Category A and two of Category B; usually they run into the thousands.

"The court has more than enough power to deal with this matter. Of course, you will require a report."

Magistrates ordered an all options pre-sentence report.

Agnew was granted conditional bail until his next hearing at Merthyr Tydfil Magistrates' Court on Wednesday, 21st October 2026, when he will either be sentenced or have his case sent to the Crown Court.

By virtue of his conviction, he was also made subject to the notification requirements of the sex offenders register.

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