Book burning group avoid jail

A group of seven men accused of burning the Qu’ran in a pub car park and posting the video online will not be prosecuted due to lack of evidence.

Wendy Williams of the Crown Prosecution Service said the majority of people would find the inflammatory incident "repugnant". But she added there is not enough evidence to create a realistic chance the men would be convicted of any offence.

Mrs Williams said: "If any further evidence comes to light and is sent to us, we will look at it."

Police arrested seven men on suspicion of inciting racial hatred after a video recording was posted on YouTube last September. It showed a group of young men disguised in hooded tops pouring petrol on a book and setting it alight. They then cheered as the book burst into flames.

It is thought the group may have been inspired by the radical anti Islam Pastor Terry Jones who threatened to burn the Islamic holy book on September 11th 2010. Jones’ threats provoked global condemnation but withdrew the threat and did not go ahead with the plan.

Prosecutors said police could not identify who recorded the video and posted it online and there was not enough evidence those involved were threatening anyone.

They added that the men could not be charged with a religiously aggravated public order offence because they could not prove anyone was there who was distressed.