Man appears in court over 'grossly offensive' Grenfell Tower bonfire video
Paul Bussetti is accused of sending the video on WhatsApp and later causing it to be uploaded to YouTube.
Tuesday 30 April 2019 11:50, UK
A man accused of filming a burning model of Grenfell Tower and sharing the video on WhatsApp has pleaded not guilty to two charges.
Paul Bussetti, 46, of South Norwood in southeast London, has appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court after allegedly sending the "grossly offensive" clip to a group on the messaging app last year.
The second charge alleges he was also responsible for the footage of "menacing character" ending up on YouTube, which caused it to circulate online.
In the clip, a cardboard model of Grenfell Tower was seen being burnt at a bonfire party in southeast London.
After it emerged online, sparking outrage, police arrested six men, with a seventh interviewed under caution.
Bussetti is accused of first sending it on WhatsApp on 3 November - some 16 months after the blaze at the block of flats killed 72 people on 14 June 2017.
He appeared in court dressed in a dark grey suit to contest both charges under the Communications Act 2003, speaking only to confirm his details and enter his pleas.
He was released on unconditional bail to go on trial at the same court on 29 July.