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Lord Sugar says he feared for his family’s safety as antisemitic abuser is jailed
Patrick Gomes has been found guilty of harassing and threatening the businessman and TV star
February 17, 2022 12:20
Patrick Gomes has been found guilty of harassing and threatening the businessman and TV star
February 17, 2022 12:20A man has been jailed for more than three years after targeting Lord Alan Sugar with abusive and antisemitic letters and leaving the 74-year-old fearing for his safety
The charges relate to three “abusive, threatening and offensive” letters sent to Lord Sugar’s business premises in Loughton in October and December 2018.
Police said the material was “deeply derogatory towards the Jewish faith.”
The court heard that one of the letters was signed “the Jew hater”.
Lord Sugar opened up about his ordeal in court.
"The whole incident has shaken me up and I'm now always looking over my shoulder in case someone is close to me and about to attack me or my family,” he said.
The Leyton man - Patrick Gomes - was found guilty in absentia at Chelmsford Crown court of religiously-aggravated harassment, putting those targeted in fear of violence.
He has been sentenced to three years and six months behind bars.
Gomes denied any involvement during the investigation but officers found his fingerprints and DNA over one of the letters. An address book and additional “discriminatory” material written by Gomes were also uncovered.
Investigating officer PC Marc Arnold, of Epping Forest’s Community Policing Team, said:
“Throughout the investigation and despite all of the evidence against him, Gomes has denied his involvement.
“At no point has he shown remorse for his actions and I’m glad that he’s now been made to answer for his crimes.”