A TATTOO artist has been told he "should be hanged" after he confronted people putting up a St George's flag outside his home.
Braintree resident Adam Willett asked them to stop because he "doesn't agree" with hanging flags in the area.
The 35-year-old tattoo artist filmed the interaction, and posted it on Facebook, which resulted in abusive comments, sexual assault accusations and homophobic slurs.
Adam, who works at Harmless in Braintree, said: "This has been going on in Braintree for months, probably since the end of last year.
"I thought I’d just try and speak to them and ask them to stop because I don’t agree with it.
"The video completely blew up, and since uploading it, I have received a lot of horrible and negative stuff.
"The group organising the flags offered to come to my business for 'free advertising'.
"People in the comments were saying I should be hung, posting homophobic slurs, and one even said my partner should be raped.
"Someone even said that while I was tattooing a 19-year-old I touched her inappropriately - which, of course, is not true.
"The accusation prompted me to get DBS checked.
"The more serous comments have been passed on to the police, which are going to be investigated."
But not all feedback from the video was negative, with several people sending Adam grateful messages, and visiting his shop with gifts.
AHe said: "People feel so intimidated by it all, and they feel they can’t speak up because of abuse of having phones shoved in their face.
"People are scared. It’s been going on for so long and we have to start standing up to these people."
Adam has since launched a petition in a bid to stop flags being put up in and around Braintree, and see those involved "held accountable".
He said: "It’s a civil offence according to Section 132 of the Highways Act 1980.
"I’m using this exposure to try to get attention on the petition and get something done about it.
"It’s having a deeper impact on the community than literal safety on the roads, and it’s time something is done."
For more information, and to view the petition, visit cmis.essex.gov.uk.
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