Lucy Connolly's Appeal Dismissed

Gerry Connolly, wife of former Conservative councillor Raymond Connolly, lost her United Kingdom — Court of Appeal (England and Wales) bid to reduce her 31-month jail sentence. She was imprisoned after posting an online rant on X (social network) on July 29 last year, inciting racial hatred by calling for 'mass deportation now' and urging followers to 'set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b*******'. The post was viewed 310,000 times before she deleted it. Connolly had pleaded guilty to the charge at United Kingdom — Queen Elizabeth II Law Courts, Birmingham last October. The United Kingdom — Court of Appeal (England and Wales), including Lord Justice Holroyde, refused her application, stating there was 'no arguable basis' that the sentence was 'manifestly excessive'. Connolly claimed she did not intend to incite violence and was distressed by the Southport attacks, which involved the stabbing deaths of three girls, but her appeal was rejected.