He told the court: "You might think this goes beyond freedom of speech.

"People have the right to insult people, it is a most important right in this country.

"Freedom of speech is one of the most jealously-guarded rights, but it is not without prescription and the crown say he went beyond freedom of speech."

Mr Biddle added: "You as jurors are the conscience of our society. You must decide what you are prepared to put up with and what goes beyond reasonable bounds.

"You are 12 tolerant British people and know what freedom of speech is all about."

Mr Biddle told the court Taylor put the images in the room on November 2 and 26 and December 12, 2008.

On the final occasion, they were found by chaplain Nicky Lees.

She said: "I was insulted, deeply offended and I was alarmed. I was so concerned that I rang the duty manager and the airport police. I was alarmed other people could come in and see these items and also feel offended and affronted and I was responsible for the prayer room."

But Andrew Fitzpatrick, defending, questioned Ms Lees about the fact some religious books could cause offence to people of other faiths.

He said: "There are things in this prayer room that one could take offence.

"Some people take passages in the Qur’an as justification for Holy War, for Jihad, which could be deeply offensive to people of other faiths." But Ms Lees said: "I feel these are different. I am unhappy with that material being placed in a prayer room. I was deeply disturbed."

(Proceeding)