A re-trial date for Sheppard has been set for December 8. From UK reporter Nazia Parveen in a local paper, not a national, again! -
"
A Preston man who skipped bail and fled abroad after being convicted of distributing racist material, is still locked up in the United States.
Stephen Whittle was found guilty of a series of race-related offences by a judge at Leeds Crown Court.
The 41-year-old, from Avenham Lane, Avenham, was due to return to court on Monday, July 14, while a jury continued deliberating over further charges, but he did not turn up.
It is believed Whittle travelled with his co-defendant Simon Sheppard from the UK to Ireland by ferry before taking a direct flight to Los Angeles.
Both were detained by immigration officials at Los Angeles Airport.
Whittle was convicted of five counts of publishing racially inflammatory written material.
Simon Sheppard, 51, of Brook Street, Selby, North Yorkshire, was also found guilty after a seven-week trial of nine counts of publishing racially inflammatory written material on a website.
A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said they were both still in custody in the USA and a re-trial date for Sheppard has been set for December 8. "
With CPS evidence such as this - how can they fail?
