TWO men who were jailed for an internet race-hate campaign face an anxious wait to discover the outcome of appeals against their convictions.

Simon Guy Sheppard, 52, of Brook Street, Selby, and University of York graduate Stephen Whittle, 43, of Avenham Lane, Preston, were convicted of various counts of publishing inflammatory material at trials at Leeds Crown Court last year.

At the Court of Appeal, their lawyers have challenged the safety of the convictions, but will have to wait for a decision after the three appeal judges reserved their judgment on the case. Lawyers for Whittle, who is serving a two years and four months sentence, and Sheppard, serving four years and ten months, say they should never have been convicted.