Mother of four convicted of hate crime after using homophobic slur against alleged attacker in rant to friend
Elizabeth Kinney, a 34-year-old mother of four, has been convicted of a hate crime following a series of offensive messages directed at her alleged attacker. The incident stemmed from an assault that occurred on October 27, 2024, involving a mutual acquaintance.
Details of the Incident
After the assault, Kinney described her experience in a barrage of text messages to a friend. In her messages, she referred to the attacker using a homophobic slur, which led to her facing charges of malicious communications.
Court Proceedings and Conviction
- Kinney appeared at Sefton Magistrates’ Court.
- She pleaded guilty to sending offensive and menacing messages.
- The court emphasized the homophobic nature of her comments.
Despite claiming her remarks were a “thoughtless rant,” the justices deemed her statements as homophobic. They noted the need for accountability due to the potential impact on the victim’s mental well-being.
Sentencing and Consequences
Keen to address the seriousness of her actions, the court sentenced Kinney to a 12-month community order, which includes:
- 72 hours of unpaid work
- 10 rehabilitation activity days
Additionally, she was ordered to pay £364 in costs and surcharges. Kinney has a long-standing career in a care home and expressed aspirations of becoming a nurse.
Context of the Case
The prosecution highlighted the distress caused by Kinney’s messages, stating they fell into the highest category of such offences due to their homophobic content. Kinney’s attorney characterized her behavior as a reaction steeped in emotion rather than an attack on anyone’s sexuality.
No arrests have been made regarding the initial assault, indicating complexities surrounding the case continue to unfold. Kinney’s case raises significant discussions about hate speech and its consequences in society.
