A SPEECH in Belfast by the leader of far-right group Britain First was aimed at stirring up hatred towards Muslims in Northern Ireland, a court has heard.
Prosecutors claimed Paul Golding went beyond criticising aspects of a religion at a rally outside City Hall where he spoke about "colonisation and Islamification by the back door".
Golding (37) and his one-time deputy leader Jayda Fransen (32) are among four people on trial over addresses to the 'Northern Ireland Against Terrorism' event in August 2017.
They are accused of using threatening, abusive or insulting words intended to stir up hatred or arouse fear.
Similar charges have been brought against 61-year-old John Banks, of Acacia Road in Doncaster, south Yorkshire, and Paul Rimmer (56) of Modred Street in Liverpool.
All four deny the allegations.
Defence lawyers argued that they are entitled to freedom of expression - no matter how offensive their speeches may be.
Belfast Magistrates' Court was shown footage of the addresses.
Golding allegedly referred to a mosque in Newtownards as part of his claims about Islam's colonisation.
During his speech he said: "We have got a problem with one religion and one religion only, that is Islam."
The court heard Fransen told those gathered there was no moderate version of Islam, and stated: "These people are baying for our blood."
Crown lawyer Robin Steer drew a distinction between the contents of their speeches and a claim once made by former DUP leader Ian Paisley that the Pope was "the antichrist".
He contended: "It's not the same as saying all Catholics should be killed or all Catholics are involved in a war against you."
None of the four defendants gave evidence at the contested hearing.
But Mark Farrell, representing Golding and Fransen, claimed they should be free to express reasonably held beliefs.
"Our democracy allows for people to express strongly held views on various matters, including religion, in a way that stimulates and starts debate."
District Judge George Conner indicated he was likely to reserve his verdict.
