Racist rang Leeds synagogue with 'bizarre' rant about Hitler
A racist who rang a synagogue twice and ranted about Adolf Hitler has been spared immediate custody.
Geoffrey Iveson made two calls to the Etz Chaim centre on Harrogate Road, first leaving a lengthy rambling message when nobody picked up.
He made that call on June 2, 2024, then 17 days later rang again and this time somebody picked up, Leeds Crown Court heard.
Again he ranted in what Judge Neil Clark said was “bizarre and truly offensive”, referencing Adolf Hitler.
Police went to Iveson’s address on June 28, 2024, and arrested him. He had two phones, one of which matched the number that had called the north-Leeds synagogue.
He told officers: “Sometimes I give people a piece of my mind.”
During his police interview he said he has wanted to visit the synagogue for historical reasons, said he was sorry and blamed excessive drinking.
The 48-year-old, of Duke of York Avenue, Wakefield, admitted racially / religiously-aggravated harassment without violence. He has no previous convictions.
Mitigating, Christopher Morton said Iveson had been diagnosed with drug-induced psychosis and bipolar disorder.
He said he had been detained under Mental Health Act no fewer than 10 times.
Judge Clark gave him a seven-week jail sentence, suspended for 18 months, ordered him to complete 20 rehabilitation days with probation.
He was also given a five-year restraining order to prevent him from being within 100 metres of the Etz Chaim Synagogue.