Sunderland city councillor Glenn Gibbins posted on Facebook in March 2024 that Nigerians should be melted down to fill potholes, an offense that brought a 12-month community order and 150 hours of unpaid work on Nov. 9, 2026, according to The Guardian.
District Judge Zoe Passfield convicted the 66-year-old politician after a trial at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, stating the remarks were a grossly offensive comment on the humanity of the Nigerian community, as reported by the BBC. Prosecutor Emma Dowling told the court that the post implied Nigerians were somewhat less than human and stripped that group of their humanity, according to The Independent. Gibbins denied any criminal intent, arguing to the court that the message was merely a tongue-in-cheek joke after having a couple of cans of beer, as detailed by ITVX. His legal team announced plans to appeal the verdict at the crown court later, the BBC noted.
Gibbins was told he would not be jailed, and he shared the message to his public Facebook profile.
When asked what reaction he intended to cause, Gibbins replied, It was tongue-in-cheek, a bit naughty, but I thought it was fun.
He added, It’s an unreal scenario, you cannot melt people down, anyone that takes that literally… you cannot do that,
and stated, I wouldn’t dream of joking about killing people.
Gibbins also explained that he considered becoming a councillor through Reform UK as a source of income to tide me over
when business was quieter in the summer.
The social media post surfaced only after Hope Not Hate reviewed Gibbins’ online history following his successful election to represent the Hylton Castle ward in May 2026, The Independent reported. Godwin Ejeh, a local community leader, organized a protest outside City Hall during the swearing-in ceremony to demand an apology, though Gibbins stayed away after Reform UK suspended him, according to ITVX.
Ejeh told the court that the local Nigerian community felt deeply distressed regarding their safety, emphasizing that the situation transcended standard politics, the BBC stated. Meanwhile, Adam King defending Gibbins pointed to remarks by professional comedians to argue the post should not lead to criminal prosecution, ITVX reported.
Suspended Reform councillor Glenn Gibbins found guilty over offensive post about Nigerianshttps://t.co/MNbxDlpwMi
Reform UK Sunderland councillor Glen Gibbons has been found guilty and convicted over a grossly offensive post about melting down Nigerians to fill potholes. He was sentenced to 150 hours of community service and a 12 month community order. pic.twitter.com/22JR1p3FwZ
