A self-confessed Satanist kept weapons including a Samurai sword in his flat, then he and his girlfriend took revenge on their charity landlords when they were evicted by wrecking the property, causing over £10,000 damage.
Prosecutor Amy Edwards told Mold Crown Court the defendants rented the flat run by charity YCYL. But the couple who operated the flats – Shri Shruti and Maheshvara Caitanya – became concerned during inspections that Redgrave kept weapons. In July, 2022, the couple became aware of Redgrave’s Satanic views and “his desire to hunt and kill paedophiles”, said Ms Edwards. The court heard that Redgrave’s girlfriend, Eva Lewin, 28, told them she was not a Satanist.
In September that year one of the landlords emailed Redgrave to say weapons were not allowed. Redgrave replied with a reference to “The Satanic Temple’s Seven Tenets which he lives by”, said the prosecutor. The court heard how he had also said in an email to the landlords that if they were saying all Satanists were the same they may as well say “all Hindus are child molesters”.
Soon afterwards, the defendants were told by the charity they had stayed long enough in the Welshpool flat. But the couple were still there in October when the landlords smelt cannabis coming from their room. The defendants then put up a notice warning people not to touch their belongings and wondering whether pushing someone down the stairs would reveal whether “Hindus could fly”.
Nevertheless, the defendants did ultimately leave but the landlords then noticed a foul smell coming from the flat. When they went inside they discovered faecal matter in the bath, butter on the walls and tiles coated with nail varnish. There was also graffiti with one message saying “Kill Hindus”. It was at this point that police were called.
Scott Redgrave, 32, who had “sinister” Satanic beliefs, vowed to kill paedophiles, and made slurs against Hindus, admitted racially aggravated harassment. A judge condemned the “vile” behaviour and the “stomach churning” mess. He jailed Redgrave for 18 months. Eva Lewin, who was only convicted of causing criminal damage, was given a ten-month jail term, suspended for 18 months. You can sign up for all the latest court stories here
During interview, Redgrave exercised his right to silence, while Lewin said she was not a racist. Enquiries found damage totalled £10,000. The flat had to be “deep-cleaned” and needed a new kitchen and drainage system, said the prosecutor.
Paulinus Barnes, defending Redgrave, said of his actions that it had been a “vile way to treat another human being”. He said his client, who now lives with Lewin at Monreith Sands holiday park, Monreith Town, Newton Stewart, Wigtownshire, Scotland, had “reacted emotionally” to stress and pressure and regretted sending the emails. He said the couple planned to move to the Scottish Highlands on January 26 where Redgrave hoped to set up a wood carving business making walking sticks.
The judge, his Honour Niclas Parry, said of the damaged flat: “This was offending for the purpose of revenge. It’s difficult to comprehend that people could behave in such a harmful manner, difficult to imagine such disgusting, vile, depraved harassment.” He said there had been “sinister beliefs and conduct” and the defendants breached numerous tenancy rules and displayed weapons.
He added: “You, Mr Redgrave, caused additional concern by your expression of Satanic views and desire to hunt and kill people. You subjected your landlords to the most dreadful abuse and before you subsequently left you (caused) stomach-churning damage to the property.”
It needed a new kitchen and drainage system costing £10,000, he added. While jailing Redgrave, he said Lewin must pay £2,400 compensation. Both defendants were made subject to indefinite, restraining orders not to contact their two victims nor refer to them on social media.
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