Comment: Racist thugs will not be tolerated in Bristol

The Bristol Evening Post can name and show pictures of Nicholas Gardener and Justin and Luke Lovedale today because a judge believed they should be publicly identified.

District Judge Parsons was appalled by the attacks they committed and by their behaviour in court, and he believed the public should be warned about them.

There is the risk that Gardener and the Lovedale twins will revel in being on the front page of this newspaper – after all, they laughed and joked as they were convicted of these awful attacks – but hopefully they will not be laughing when they are sentenced.

For these were appalling assaults made worse because they were delivered with a torrent of racist abuse.

Look at the pictures we have published and then watch the video on our website and prepare to be sickened.

People such as Gardener and the Lovedale brothers have to be exposed for the sickening racist thugs that they undoubtedly are. But that should only be the start.

They need to understand that violence and racism will not be tolerated. But they also need educating. They need to learn respect for others, whatever their background, whatever their religion and whatever the colour of their skin.

In the long run, that is the only way we will ever counter racism.

Ignoring them and hoping they will change is far too dangerous a strategy.