Amish leader Samuel Mullet and 15 others guilty of hate crime

[Gerald]

Members of an Amish breakaway group have been found guilty of hate crimes for forcibly cutting the beards and hair of community members.

The leader of the group, Samuel Mullet, has also been convicted of planning the five attacks last year in eastern Ohio.

They all face 10 years or more in jail over the incidents, prompted by a dispute over religious differences.

Prosecutors said the victims' hair was cut because it has spiritual significance in the Amish faith.

Defence lawyers admitted the attacks did take place, but argued they did not amount to hate crimes.

The hair-cutting incidents were internal family disputes, they argued.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-19669950

Note: 20 September 2012 Last updated at 19:08 GMT