Pub bosses and customers at Saracens Head pubs across the UK have backed their landlord who is being taken to court by a convicted terrorist because he was ‘deeply offended’ by his name. and rallied.
Khalid Baca, who was jailed for four years for preparing jihadist propaganda, sparked outrage after trying to win nearly £2,000 from the Saracens Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
He described “depictions of bearded Arabs/Turks” on pub signs as racist, adding that the depictions “incite violence”.
Baqa is seeking £1,850 from the landlord and has announced plans to buy more than 30 other pubs with the same name if successful.
Pub owner Robbie Hayes has vowed to fight back against the lawsuit, with other Saracens Head outlets across the UK backing him.
Staff at the pub of the same name told MailOnline they were stunned by Mr Baca’s claim for money and that he was offended by the name.
Caroline Machel Ranson, head chef at Saracen’s Head in Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, said: “This is absolutely ridiculous and it’s crazy that he would be offended by the name.”
“This pub has been here since the 16th century, everyone in the village knows it and we’ve never had any complaints.
Khalid Baca (pictured), who was jailed for four years for preparing jihadist propaganda, sparked outrage after he tried to win nearly £2,000 from the Saracens Head Inn in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.
Bakua said the sign, which depicts a dark-skinned man of Arab or Turkish descent, was “obviously xenophobic and racist and incited violence against certain people, which made me feel uncomfortable.” “It instilled fear,” he said.
Pub owner Robbie Hayes (pictured) called the lawsuit a “complete joke” and vowed to fight it.
“It’s just a village pub that’s been here since 1615. I don’t know when it started being called Saracen’s Head, but I’m sure the name will stick.”
The pub features a sword-wielding Saracen and stands out outside the venue, facing the main road through the Hertfordshire village.
The pub has oak beams and low ceilings, with a fireplace in one corner and half a dozen ornaments featuring Saracen heads.
Other staff at the pub, who requested anonymity, said it was “insane” for a convicted jihadist to demand a name change.
“Don’t gloss over history. This name has been around for hundreds of years and that’s what it is,” said one worker.
Another added: “This man needs to get a life.” What’s worse is that he’s a convicted terrorist. ”
MailOnline visited another Saracens Head pub in Towcester, near Northampton, where customers were equally angry at Baca and his demands.
“To be honest, his orange beard pisses me off,” Ian Frith said of Baca.
Staff and customers at Saracens Head in Kings Langley have strongly criticized Baca’s lawsuit against his Buckinghamshire landlord.
The pub features a sword-wielding Saracen and stands out prominently outside the venue, on the main road through the Hertfordshire village.
The pub has oak beams and low ceilings, with a fireplace in one corner and half a dozen ornaments shaped like Saracen heads.
“I don’t care if the head of a Saracen is called a jihadist’s weapon.
“There are so many things that make people angry these days that I’m afraid to say anything for no reason.
“I’ve lived here for 20 years and I’ve never heard anyone complain about the name. It’s a local pub and everyone loves it.”
David Morgan, who was sitting inside the pub drinking a beer, added: “There are more important things to worry about than names.”
“I think this guy is just trying his luck to get some money. The name should stay and the pub shouldn’t walk away.”
“That name doesn’t offend me. I think it’s terrible that he’s trying to get money from the landlord,” Lynn Suter said.
Others in Towcester shared outrage that Saracens Head could face legal action from a convicted terrorist.
“My cheeks are covered in blood, so I think I should be told where to go,” said one local resident.
“What’s next?” Will a pub called “The White Lion” be sued because someone is afraid of animals, or because it contains the word “white”? By name.
“There are so many pubs with such rich history that you question their names, which is just ridiculous.
MailOnline visited another Saracen’s Head pub in Towcester, near Northampton, where customers were equally angry at Baca and his demands.
Ian Frith (pictured) told MailOnline: This is a local pub and everyone loves it. ”
Lynn Suter (pictured) said: “The name doesn’t offend me. I think it’s terrible that he’s trying to get money from the landlord.”
Many in Towcester shared anger that Saracens Head could face legal action from a convicted terrorist.
It comes after Robbie Hayes, the landlord being sued, told The Sun he intended to fight back against the lawsuit, which he described as a “complete joke”.
“This has been called the Saracen’s Head for 500 years,” he said.
“He’s just changing hands. Of course that’s a concern — you never know with people like this.”
The 52-year-old added that he believes none of the pub-goers are racist and that the signage and name are not racist and are “simply historical”.
Ms Baqa filed a “bill of money” in the county court asking for the amount of cash she believed a person would have to pay.
His application had previously been referred to small claims court.
In a submission explaining the reasoning behind his claim, Bakua said the sign, which depicts a dark-skinned man of Arab or Turkish descent, was “clearly xenophobic and racist. It instilled anxiety and fear in me because it incited violence against certain people.”
He further claims that he contacted the pub four times and even visited the pub house in person. But the staff at Saracens Head Inn have no record.
In 2018, Baca was sentenced to four years and eight months in prison after pleading guilty to five charges of distributing terrorist publications.
Mr Baca claimed he had always been offended by pub names like the Buckinghamshire Pub.
Saracen was a word used to refer to Arabs until the 5th century, and a few years later also to Muslims.
This is one of the UK’s most popular pub names, alongside titles such as the Red Lion.
Despite its name evoking Crusader times, this pub was only built in 1530.