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Britain First leaders Paul Golding and deputy leader Jayda Fransen and entourage arriving at Folkestone Magistrate Court. Andrew Aitchison

Britain First leader and deputy leader jailed for religiously aggravated harassment

The group’s tweets had been retweeted by Donald Trump.

THE LEADER AND deputy leader of Britain First, the right-wing group retweeted by US President Donald Trump, have both been jailed for religiously-aggravated harassment.

Jayda Fransen, 31, filmed and posted online videos of people who she wrongly believed were defendants in a rape trial at Canterbury Crown Court in May last year, in a case that led to the conviction of three Muslim men and a teenager. She was jailed for 36 weeks.

Britain First leader Paul Golding, 36, was also found guilty and jailed for 18 weeks.

The court heard how Golding, 36, and Fransen, 31, confronted people they believed were defendants in the case. However, in each case, they instead targeted innocent members of the public.

They filmed the abuse and then released it on social media and through the Britain First website. They also posted offensive leaflets through the letter boxes of houses in the area where the rape trial defendants lived.

Jaswant Narwal from the Crown Prosecution Service, said:

“The prosecution case demonstrated these defendants were not merely exercising their right to free speech but were instead aiming religiously aggravated abuse at innocent members of the public. The victims suffered the distress of the abuse followed by additional stress when the footage was uploaded to the internet.

“This offending also related to an ongoing criminal trial and the actions taken by Fransen and Golding could easily have derailed the justice process.”

Trump’s sharing in November of three inflammatory anti-Muslim videos posted by Britain First, unrelated to the videos in the Folkestone trial, sparked a diplomatic spat with British Prime Minister Theresa May.

The retweeting of the controversial videos led to renewed calls for Trump’s planned state visit to the UK to be cancelled.

He later made a rare apology, saying he did not know the group’s background before retweeting.

Read: Nerve agent used to poison ex Russian spy leaves policeman fighting for his life

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    Mute Sean Conway
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:53 AM

    Muhommad replaces william as the most poptular name in england and wales.

    141
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    Mute Andy
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:57 AM

    @Sean Conway:
    I think you’ve accidentally succumbed to the propaganda hype

    It’s no where near the top according to the 2017 records. 14th most popular name from what I can see

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    Mute Adam O'Donoghue
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:10 AM

    @Sean Conway: heard that in the pub so it must be true eh Sean?

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    Mute Paul Coughlan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 3:53 PM

    @Sean Conway: not sure. If you are correct then William has also been replaced by other non conventional names – Brooklyn romeo harper three beckham children for instance

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    Mute John
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:27 PM
    2
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    Mute Gareth Murphy
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    Mar 9th 2018, 10:59 AM

    @Andy: it actually was in 2017. And in 2015. What’s more important I think is the fact that only 5 of the top 100 names are Muslim or Arabic. Not a big deal rally!

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    Mute Michael Knight
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:57 AM

    Great news, maybe some of the posters on The Journal should take note. You can no longer hide behind the ‘racism has lost its meaning’ card anymore.

    133
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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:15 AM

    @Michael Knight: says the person who hides behind his multiple fakes a/cs to spew anti catholic bigotry every chance he gets, hypocrite much Angela/Justin/Royston/alt right crybaby/atheos.

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    Mute Michael Knight
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:25 AM

    @johnp: Think you’ve been sippin’ on Jim Jones’ Kool-Aid again!

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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:28 AM

    @Michael Knight: why deny it have the courage of your convictions at least.

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    Mute Michael Knight
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:29 AM

    @johnp: I don’t interact with fake account trolls who don’t use their real names, jog on troll.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:31 AM

    @johnp: is it bigoted to dislike paedophile protectors and mass abusers? If so count me among the bigots too please.

    59
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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:34 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe: all Catholics are not pedophile protectors and mass abusers are u saying they are

    43
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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:37 AM

    @Michael Knight: at the end of the day you’re just as hate filled as all the people u pretend to despise

    47
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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:39 AM

    @Oscar Scatters: I think ur having a problem separating the Catholic Church and Catholics

    25
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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:15 AM

    @Oscar Scatters: I see, what’s the difference between you and what u just said and what those Britain first idiots say. Unless u think that all muslims are terrorists

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    Mute Biggus Diccus
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:37 AM

    @Dave O Keeffe: You’re equating Catholics with paedophiles. That’s bigotry alright, you bigot.

    24
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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 8th 2018, 12:24 PM

    @Biggus Diccus: I never mentioned Catholics. I said I dislike paedophile protectors and mass abusers. Apparently you’re saying it’s wrong to dislike them now, OK then. I’ll enjoy being wrong while you fight the good fight on behalf of the paedophiles of the world

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 8th 2018, 12:32 PM

    @johnp: where did I say anything about Catholics? I expressed my dislike of paedophile protectors and mass abusers. I didn’t even mention religion.

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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 12:43 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: haha u keep backtracking it’s only yourself u are embarrassing

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 8th 2018, 1:07 PM

    @johnp: I’m saying the exact same thing for a second time, that’s not backtracking. Your inability to read is your problem not mine

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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 1:13 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: stop digging when u get to Australia

    5
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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 8th 2018, 1:15 PM

    @johnp: you should really stop attacking me for not liking paedophiles.

    4
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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 1:43 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: nah I’m attacking u for calling Catholics paedophiles, but u keep digging dummy

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 8th 2018, 2:56 PM

    @johnp: I’ll ask again, where did I say that?

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    Mute Biggus Diccus
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:01 PM

    @Dave: I know you didn’t mean it like that, but that’s how what you wrote reads. John had mentioned anti catholic bigotry, you equated this with being anti child abuse, ergo Catholicism is child abuse. I know you’re not really a bigot. You wouldn’t have been allowed to say something like that about a certain other religion on this forum though, you know that.

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:05 PM

    @Biggus Diccus: no, not at all. I equated nothing. I asked a question. I specifically mentioned who I was opposed to and asked if that made me a bigot. After which you and John declared me a bigot and said that I was opposed to Catholics even though I hadn’t said a word about them. Best to judge me on my words rather than someone else’s next time. Now you’ve decided to throw in other religions too for some bizarre reason. I accept your apology

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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:46 PM

    @Dave O Keeffe: why ask that question specifically of me when I was discussing someone elses anti catholic bigotry. I said he was a anti catholic bigot u said well if it’s bigotry to hate pedos count me in thus inferring that Catholics were all all pedos, grow up and admit u made a mistake or admit u think I do think all Catholics are pedos either way don’t bother commenting to me again if your not willing to stand over your comment

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    Mute johnp
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    Mar 8th 2018, 10:11 PM

    @johnp: admit u think

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    Mute Dave O Keeffe
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    Mar 9th 2018, 2:03 AM

    @johnp: the person you were “discussing” it with hadn’t mentioned Catholics at all either and had clearly stated they weren’t discussing anything with you. Seems to be a trend with you. I said “is it bigoted to dislike paedophile protectors and mass abusers? If so count me among the bigots.” I have also said that it’s not about religion since you decided it was but you’re still chasing after an argument I didn’t make. You were the only person discussing Catholics.

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    Mute Lisa Saputo
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:16 AM

    Good. That’s where they belong.

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    Mute Andy
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:06 AM

    Brilliant news

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    Mute Stephen Devlin
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:20 AM

    Brilliant news, best news all week.

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    Mute Annie Citric
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:58 AM

    Woo-hoo!

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    Mute DJ François
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:55 AM

    You would need a heart of stone not to laugh.

    55
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    Mute Mark O'Connor
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    Mar 8th 2018, 7:57 AM

    @DJ François: First thing I did when I read the headline!

    27
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    Mute The flute smoker
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:37 AM

    How can you harass someone about something thats not real ?

    34
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    Mute Aaron O'Leary
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:41 AM

    @The flute smoker: woah you’re so edgy and cool

    38
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    Mute Garreth Byrne
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:42 AM

    @The flute smoker: Breda O’Brien IS real.

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    Mute The flute smoker
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    Mar 8th 2018, 9:49 AM

    @Aaron O’Leary: no im not

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    Mute Toomasu Sumitsu
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:43 AM

    This is why vigilante “justice” shouldn’t be tolerated. Although the religiously aggravated harassment charge seems like nonsense. Surely just harassment. The reasons for mistaken identity seem moot.

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    Mute Patrick J. O'Rourke
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:56 AM

    @Toomasu Sumitsu: Its a shame they didn’t have that type of charge when I was kid and the nuns were beating the carp out of me with bamboo canes to teach me god’s love.

    38
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    Mute Felix Quigley
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:38 PM

    IN FACT GOLDING AND FRANSEN JUST CALLING ATTENTION TO MUSLIM RAPE GANGS

    Judge Justin Barron “said Golding and Fransen’s words and actions ‘demonstrated hostility’ towards Muslims and the Muslim faith.”

    What they were really doing was calling attention to Muslim rape gangs, which have operated freely in Britain for years because police and other authorities were too afraid of being called “racist” to do anything about them. But that’s “hostility” to Islam and Muslims, and so Fransen and Golding must be imprisoned.
    https://www.jihadwatch.org/2018/03/britain-first-leaders-jailed-over-anti-muslim-hate-crimes

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    Mute Gareth Murphy
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    Mar 9th 2018, 10:53 AM

    @Felix Quigley: Except the trial in question found the Muslim defendants guilty. You’re talking nonsense!

    And even if they were trying to bring attention to an issue that still doesn’t make it OK to harass innocent members of the public.

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    Mute Quentin Moriarty
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:20 AM

    Christopher Hitchens

    18
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    Mute John Judd
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:43 AM

    You should watch the documentary on YouTube about Britain First very interesting

    16
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    Mute Felix Quigley
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:30 PM

    Why precisely are these two leaders of Britain First being imprisoned? They made a video it seems in which they were trying to expose the nature of Muslims in areas of Britain like Rotherham who were proved to be gang raping young English girls.

    Why do they get no credit for this whether you are right or left but just opposed to Muslims raping young English girls?

    If they made a mistake in identity or something, and that is far from clear, then we need to know all the details. But jailing for a mistake???

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    Mute Tom Molloy
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:34 AM

    Those religious bigots harassing Breda O’Brien in the Irish Times comments should be thrown into jail with them.

    38
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    Mute Felix Quigley
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:43 PM

    These judges are very hard on non Muslims. I think they know Muslims are watching them and they fear attack. They are basically scared. Running scared of the Jihad in full flow as Sharia takes over more and more areas. The Judges have become a key arm of the spread of Islam and Sharia.

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    Mute Philip Exley
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    Mar 9th 2018, 3:30 AM

    @Felix Quigley: what a load of absolute rubbish you spout.

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    Mute andy lynch
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:14 AM

    Looks like a gang of council estate doggers headed to court.

    13
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    Mute Felix Quigley
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:25 PM

    Karl Marx was very opposed to Islam.

    “Koran 2:191 “slay the unbelievers wherever you find them”
    Koran 3:21 “Muslims must not take the infidels as friends”
    Koran 5:33 “Maim and crucify the infidels if they criticize Islam”
    Koran 8:12 “Terrorize and behead those who believe in scriptures other than the Koran”
    Koran 8:60 ” Muslims must muster all weapons to terrorize the infidels”
    Koran 8:65 “The unbelievers are stupid, urge all Muslims to fight them”
    Koran 9:5 “When the opportunity arises, kill the infidels wherever you find them”
    Koran 9:123 “Make war on the infidels living in your neighborhood”
    Koran 22:19 “Punish the unbelievers with garments of fire, hooked iron rods, boiling water, melt their skin and bellies”
    Koran 47:4 “Do not hanker for peace with the infidels, behead them when you catch them”.

    Was Karl Marx also wrong about Islam?

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    Mute name cannot be blank
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:26 AM

    Hi be part of me thinks they are just mislead and are worried about the way their country is going, Then the other part of me chimes in and says “ the brits went around conquering and raping country’s for hundreds of years and now they’re crying when all those former colonists follow them home, F the lot of them!!”

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    Mute Joe Ryan
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    Mar 8th 2018, 12:18 PM

    There going after the producers of the savage eye next for mocking the Catholic church about peadophila.

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    Mute Ted Murray
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    Mar 8th 2018, 11:38 AM

    Amateur “martyrs”.

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    Mute John
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    Mar 8th 2018, 4:25 PM
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    Mute David Grey
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:41 AM

    Dumb and Dumber!

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    Mute DJ François
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    Mar 8th 2018, 8:19 AM

    @movchino ☕️: you obviously didn’t.

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    Mute Vincent Power
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    Mar 8th 2018, 6:30 PM

    Scary looking bunch..

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