By George Omagbemi
A suspended Reform UK councillor, Glenn Gibbins, has been convicted after posting a Facebook comment suggesting that Nigerians living in Sunderland should be “melted down” and used to fill potholes.
Gibbins, 66, was found guilty of sending a grossly offensive communication following a trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 9 November 2026.
The post, published in March 2024, stated: “Can’t believe amount of Nigerians in town….. should melt them all down and fill in the potholes!!” It resurfaced in May 2026 after campaign group Hope Not Hate examined Gibbins’ social media activity ahead of his election to Sunderland City Council.
During the trial, Gibbins admitted that the comment was offensive but claimed it was intended as a tongue-in-cheek joke. He told the court that he had consumed a couple of cans of beer before making the post and did not expect anyone to take it literally.
District Judge Zoe Passfield rejected the defence, ruling that the message was grossly offensive, dehumanising and specifically targeted Nigerians living in Sunderland.
Gibbins was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including 150 hours of unpaid work. He was not given a custodial sentence.
His legal team has indicated that he intends to appeal the conviction at the Crown Court.
The case followed complaints and an investigation by Northumbria Police after the post became public.
Nigerian community leader Godwin Ejeh told the court that the remarks caused distress among Nigerians in Sunderland, with some raising concerns about their safety and that of their children.
Reform UK previously suspended Gibbins over the post. He was later reinstated following an internal disciplinary process and issued a final written warning.
The conviction has renewed concerns about racism and online abuse, as well as the impact of inflammatory comments on immigrant communities in the United Kingdom.
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