Police and Crime Commissioner condemns online hate campaign targeting Redcar couple
A Redcar family is living in terror after a video of them enjoying a day out with their grandchildren was hijacked by far-right activists and turned into a vile online hate campaign.
Natalie Ayeni, 52, and her husband Olajuwon, 35, say their lives have been “turned upside down” after trolls spread false paedophile accusations about an innocent family outing to a local park.
The couple are now too frightened to leave their home after their TikTok video was stolen and altered. It was then spread across social media with fabricated claims about child grooming.
The harassment escalated when far-right activist Tommy Robinson shared the doctored video to his 1.4 million followers. This was despite appeals from the family explaining the innocent nature of the footage.
Natalie said: “We haven’t gone outside at home, we just can’t. Someone was shouting ‘paedophile’ outside the house the other night. I rang the police again but they say there’s little they can do. It feels like a matter of time before something bad happens.”
The couple described a street encounter where “two lads passed us, spun round and said ‘I hope you’re not them off that video or we’re coming back to slash you up.'”
For Olajuwon, whose career was launched through a leading record label in Nigeria, the impact has been catastrophic. His management company has suspended all business dealings until the matter is resolved.
Sleeping with one eye open
He said: “I feel I have to sleep with one eye open. I feel unsafe, scared and sad as mine and my brother’s lives have been threatened. Someone said they will seek revenge and I’ll never walk again, all for just being in the park with the kids I love.”
The lies have now reached Nigeria, where such false accusations can carry the death penalty
Natalie said: “The distress this is causing is unreal, it’s ruined our lives. We just want people to know the truth; we’re a normal family who went to the park with our grandchildren. The lies and racism have turned our lives upside down and continue to do so, daily.”
Victim Care and Advice Service (VCAS), which is funded by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cleveland, has been supporting the family,
Dave Mead, VCAS Manager, said: “This case highlights the devastating real-world impact that online misinformation can have on ordinary families.
“Something is fundamentally wrong when images of an enjoyable family day out can be stolen, manipulated and used to hurt and provoke hate.”
Despite numerous appeals, Tommy Robinson and others who shared the altered video, have yet to take it down.
Misinformation is a major threat
Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Matt Storey said his thoughts are with the family. He’s also pleased they’re now getting support from VCAS.
said: “Online disinformation is a major threat to our communities with people willing to manipulate video content to demonise an innocent family just trying to enjoy a day out at the park.
“I can only imagine the impact this is having on the Ayeni family and my heart goes out to them. They don’t deserve this. It just shows how critical it is that we speak out and challenge messages that seek to demonise minority communities and use diversity as something to exploit, driving wedges between different groups of people.
“In Cleveland our diversity is a tremendous strength and I will always defend local people against hate and prejudice.”