A man who bombarded an Oscar-nominated Jewish writer with abusive emails - in which he called for another Holocaust and spoke about Jews being used for gun practice - has been convicted of one count of malicious communication and two of racially aggravated harassment. 

 Nicolas Nelson, 32, set up anonymous accounts to troll Lee Kern and send abusive messages to leading communications strategist Joanne Bell. 

 He also racially harassed a staff member at the Board of Deputies with a string of abusive phone calls between April and May, 2020. 

Nelson, who had previously been convicted of harassing Lord John Mann, the Government's Antisemitism adviser, Dame Margaret Hodge and Dame Louise Ellman, was convicted yesterday at Peterborough Crown Court after pleading guilty.  

Nelson set up anonymous accounts to troll his victims but was unmasked after Mr Kern contacted the Campaign Against Antisemitism who, working with lawyer Mark Lewis, obtained a court order which requires an internet service provider to disclose details of account holders so legal proceedings can begin.  This is the first time this legal device has been used to unmask and prosecute an antisemitic troll. 

Mr Kern, who was part of the writing team nominated for an Oscar for Sacha Ben Cohen’s ‘Borat, Subsequent Moviefilm’, described Nelson as a “malevolent racist”.    

He added: “During this time he called for another Holocaust, called me Shylock, spoke of Jews being used for gun practice, called Jewish women whores, shared perverted sexual fantasies involving Hitler and glorified the antisemitic terror organisation, Hamas. He believed he was able to make these attacks on Jews with anonymity and impunity. He was mistaken. 

“Justice will now be served. All those who think they can attack Jews anonymously and get away with it should pay heed. We have the motivation and commitment to come after you hard.  And we succeed.” 

Stephen Silverman, Director of Investigations and Enforcement at Campaign Against Antisemitism, said: “This game-changing precedent is the most significant development in the legal fight against online hate in years. We are grateful for the cooperation of the police and prosecutors in helping us to send a message of deterrence to would-be online abusers. We will continue to devise innovative legal mechanisms to protect the Jewish community and deliver justice to victims of antisemitism, including in ways previously thought impossible.” 

Board of Deputies President Marie van der Zyl said: “It is good to know that people who make malicious, racist comments cannot do so with impunity. This man felt it was safe to hide behind anonymous phone calls to make vile comments to our staff. Now he will face the full force of the law.” 

Sentencing is expected on 25th March. The offence carries a maximum sentence of six months in prison and a fine.