Man who burned Koran jailed for 'theatrical bigotry'

A convicted racist who burned a Koran in front of city centre shoppers has been jailed for 70 days after a judge described the act as "theatrical bigotry".

Andrew Ryan, 32, stole a copy of the holy book from Carlisle Library and then set it on fire with a lighter as a crowd gathered to hear his protests in front of a monument.

Police arrested Ryan, of Summerhill, Carlisle, shortly after the lunchtime incident in English Street on January 19.

Sentencing him at Carlisle Magistrates' Court, District Judge Gerald Chalk said: "This is a case of theatrical bigotry.

"It was pre-planned by you as you stole the book deliberately. You went out to cause maximum publicity and to cause distress."

Before he was led to the cells, Ryan asked: "What about burning poppies?"