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Cricklewood Islamic Centre: Man who drove at worshippers jailed

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March 6, 2019
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A man who deliberately drove at worshippers leaving an Islamic community centre has been jailed.

Three people were hurt when Martin Stokes drove into crowds leaving the Al-majlis Al-Hussaini centre in Cricklewood, north London on 19 September 2018.

Stokes, of Wembley, admitted dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and harassment.

At Harrow Crown Court on Wednesday he was jailed for five years.

Police said 25-year-old Stokes and others had parked outside the community centre on Horseshoe Close after a night of drinking.

The group were asked to move on by event stewards, who said they were causing a disturbance as there was a private event taking place.

Martin Stokes, 25, has been jailed for five years ( Metropolitan Police )

Martin Stokes, 25, has been jailed for five years ( Metropolitan Police )

In response, Stokes shouted racist abuse and then deliberately drove at worshippers leaving the community centre, before fleeing the scene, according to Scotland Yard.

Three people were injured, including a 50-year-old man who was hospitalised for three weeks due to serious hip and leg injuries.

Mohammed Al Bayati, from the Al Hussaini Association, said: “Our members were subject to racist and anti-Islamic taunts followed by a violent attack.

“The attack, against men, women and children and which resulted in serious injuries to the victims, took place at night during Muharram, a sacred month of the Islamic calendar.”

After sentencing, Det Sgt Kelly Schonhage said: “Stokes selfishly drove his car at a group of innocent pedestrians and had no regard whatsoever for their safety.

“It is very fortunate that no lives were lost in this incident and we are pleased that Stokes has now been brought to justice.”

Stokes was also banned from driving for seven-and-a-half years.

Michael O’Donnell, 20, and Thomas McDonagh, 20, both from Wembley, were charged in connection with the incident but their cases were discontinued.

BBC News

Man who deliberately mowed people down in car near Muslim centre jailed for five years

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March 6, 2019
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Martin Stokes hurled ‘racist and anti-Islamic taunts’ in religiously aggravated attack

Martin Stokes, 25, has been jailed for five years ( Metropolitan Police )

Martin Stokes, 25, has been jailed for five years ( Metropolitan Police )

A man who deliberately drove a car into a group of pedestrians outside a Muslim community centre has been jailed for five years.

Martin Stokes, 25, injured three people when he hurled “racist and anti-Islamic taunts” while he veered into the group outside the Hussaini Association hall in Cricklewood, northwest London, last September.

One man, in his 50s, sustained a serious leg and hip injury that kept him in hospital for nearly a month, the Metropolitan Police said.

Harrow Crown Court was told how at about 12.30am on 19 September Stokes and others were smoking and drinking inside a car parked in a lot close to the community centre.

Stewards for a private event being held there asked them to move on.

But in response “Stokes shouted racist abuse and then deliberately drove his car into a group of people who were leaving the community centre” before speeding away, the Met said.

He was arrested on 23 October following an investigation by Brent police.

On Wednesday he was jailed for five years and banned from driving for seven and a half years.

Stokes, of Lynton Close in Wembley, had admitted dangerous driving, causing serious injury by dangerous driving and a religiously aggravated offence.

Mohammed Al Bayati, from the Al Hussaini Association, said: “Our members were subject to racist and anti-Islamic taunts followed by a violent attack in which a vehicle was deliberately driven onto the pavement and aimed at the crowd of worshippers leaving the mosque.

“The attack, against men, women and children and which resulted in serious injuries to the victims, took place at night during Muharram, a sacred month of the Islamic calendar.”

The Independent

Drunk woman who hurled racist abuse at takeaway staff and damaged police car jailed

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January 20, 2019
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Laura Heywood begged magistrates not to send her to custody but they were appalled by her ‘horrendous’ record

A woman who hurled racist abuse at takeaway staff and a police officer has been jailed despite begging magistrates to give her another chance.

Laura Heywood blamed her “abusive and controlling” boyfriend for the heavy drug abuse which led to her offending.

Appearing live via a video link from HMP New Hall, the 24-year-old pleaded with Kirklees magistrates not to hand her a custodial sentence after pleading guilty to a string of charges.

She told them: “I’m begging you to take this risk on me – please don’t send me to prison.”

But magistrates were unmoved to grant her request after hearing details of offences including her vile abuse of two takeaway workers – one a teenage boy- where she threw cans of drink at them.

The incident at Dixxi Express in Batley happened on May 4 last year.

Drunk Heywood was at the nearby bus station with a friend and they walked into the St James Street takeaway.

Prosecutor Alex Bozman said: “They were racially abusive to two staff members, describing them as ‘P**i b******s’.

“Cans were then thrown at both gentlemen, hitting them and the contents spilling all over their clothing.

“One of the staff members was 16 and shocked to be assaulted at his place of work as he’d never experienced anything like that before.

“The other victim said that he was angry and that it was an unprovoked attack and there was no reason why they’d been targeted.”

Police were called and caught Heywood and her friend trying to board a bus. Heywood was described as aggressive and refusing to leave the vehicle.

When she was finally put into the police van she directed racist abuse to a female officer during the journey, calling her a ‘black b****d’ and’ n****r’ and telling her: “You’d be used as a footstool.”

Mr Bozman said: “The officer found her attitude and insults rather vile and stated that nobody has the right or authority to aim abuse at her.”

Magistrates were told about another incident at Laurel Drive in Birstall on June 3.

The victim had parked her Ford Fiesta there to visit a friend when Heywood came out into the street carrying a bottle of fizzy drink.

She shouted: “Whose is this car?” and she replied that it belonged to her. Heywood responded: “I don’t give a f**k anyway, I’m going to put it through.” She then threw the bottle at the vehicle, causing a dent.

Heywood went on to damage a police vehicle on November 6 when they were responding to reports of a domestic incident at an address in Common Road in Batley.

As her boyfriend was arrested from the property she picked up an item and threw it at a marked police car, causing a dent in the vehicle.

Then on December 30 Heywood was caught stealing a bottle of wine from the Hanging Heaton Food Store.

She pleaded guilty to two charges of racially-aggravated assault, racially-aggravated harassment, two counts of criminal damage, theft from a shop, being drunk and disorderly in public, three charges of failing to surrender to court and committing a further offence while subject to a conditional discharge.

Her solicitor Paul Blanchard described her as having a Jekyll and Hyde personality, adding that alcohol she consumed at the time of the offences would have clouded her judgement.

He explained: “The background to her most recent offending is combined with a relationship she has formed and during the relationship she has become involved in the consumption of Class A drugs.

“She’s made some ridiculously bad decisions and doesn’t deal with situations well.

“She hasn’t dealt with her child being adopted and resorted to the consumption of alcohol to block out the reality of situations.

“She’s a lovely, lovely person but has got her demons which unfortunately at times come to the top.

“Something has to change but the only person who can change is Laura Heywood.”

Heywood read a letter to the court in which she pleaded with magistrates not to jail her.

She said: “I know I need to grow up and sort my life out. I just need some support.

“I’ve now got out of my controlling and violent relationship and I’m begging you to take this risk on me.

“I know I’ve got a long, hard journey but I know I can do it. Please let me prove you wrong and make my family proud.”

But bench chairwoman Kathryn Beney slammed her ‘horrendous record’ and said she and her colleagues felt that custody was their only option.

They jailed Heywood, of Laurel Drive in Batley, for a total of 24 weeks.

Upon her release she will have to pay £100 to both of the takeaway employees she assaulted and abused.

Huddersfield Examiner

National Front Northern Ireland ex-leader guilty of ‘vile’ racist attack on taxi driver

By
January 11, 2019
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Racist assault: Mark Brown

Convicted: Mark Brown.

The former leader of the National Front in Northern Ireland has been convicted of a “vile” racist attack on a taxi driver in Co Antrim.

Mark Brown (31), of Skerryview in Craigahullier near Portrush, was also found guilty of not paying an £18.40 taxi fare.

Brown had contested the charges but was convicted at Coleraine Magistrates Court yesterday.

Deputy District Judge Peter Magill said it was a “racially-motivated” offence and the defendant had “clearly expressed vile racist comments” regarding taxi driver Ricardo Alavijeh (56).

Mr Alavijeh, who is understood to be originally from the Middle East, told the court Brown punched him on the head in his car, but because he was wearing a cap he wasn’t seriously injured. He said he drove up the road to phone the police and noticed Brown “running after me”.

“I was very worried, I was panicking,” he said.

He told the court Brown was also “being racist towards me”.

The taxi driver said he had initially received a call under a different name and wasn’t at first aware it was Brown.

Brown’s barrister claimed the driver “decided to make trouble” for Brown by falsely accusing him of assault and not paying the fare. The lawyer said Brown had tried to pay the taxi fare.

Mr Alavijeh told the court: “As a taxi driver dealing with drunk people and people under the influence of drugs there are a lot of incidents of racial abuse in Coleraine. I don’t even bother phoning the police unless it is serious.”

Statements from police officers said that when arrested, Brown made several remarks including references to “Muslim c***”, “jihadi bombing b******s” and “dirty Paki b******”.

Brown claimed the driver had a “grudge” against him and the allegation that he punched Mr Alavijeh was “a tissue of lies”.

He told the court that he had ordered a taxi to take him from his partner’s home, where he drank two bottles of wine, to his parents’ home. When he realised the driver was Mr Alavijeh he wasn’t going to use the taxi, but was told to get in.

Brown claimed he had got out of the car intending to pay with a £20 note, but the taxi driver then drove off.

Brown admitted he had made remarks to police and said it was because he was “agitated and frustrated” at being arrested.

He told the court he had no exact memory of what he had said to police and added: “I apologise for the nature of the words.”

The court heard Brown had been convicted in 2009 of similar offences against Mr Alavijeh.

Convicting the defendant of the 2018 offences, Judge Magill said that having seen and heard from both men in court he was satisfied beyond a reasonable doubt of Brown’s guilt.

The judge said he did not believe Mr Alavijeh would make up a false account for no reason which he would then have to tell to police and a court.

Judge Magill said Brown had “clearly expressed vile racist comments”. He said it was a “racially motivated offence”. He said he needed a pre-sentence report on Brown and adjourned sentencing until February.

Belfast Telegraph

Teenager imprisoned for neo-Nazi graffiti on Rona Mackay’s window

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January 4, 2019
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A vandal who scrawled antisemitic and neo-Nazi symbols on an MSP’s office window has been jailed for more than two years.

James Malcolm, 18, used red paint to draw symbols including a Star of David on a gallows at Rona Mackay’s office in Kirkintilloch.

He later caused £14,000 of damage to 27 headstones at a cemetery. A swastika symbol scribbled on broken glass was found at one of them. During a two-month crime spree Malcolm also vandalised a nature reserve and several parks in Kirkintilloch and used his own blood to write offensive slogans on the wall of a police cell.

Malcolm pleaded guilty at Glasgow sheriff court to four charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, one charge of maliciously damaging headstones and writing offensive slogans on a cell between June 1 and August 9 last year. Sheriff Alan MacKenzie sentenced him to two years and four months in prison.

The court was told that a member of the public spotted graffiti on a glass notice board at Lenzie Moss nature reserve on July 17. Nazi slogans and symbols were scrawled in blue paint and “James M” was scratched on a sign.

On July 23 Malcolm graffitied in red paint on a bridge above the path leading to Luggie Park. Days later a dog walker saw “Adolf Hitler” and “white power” among other phrases. Mark Allan, the procurator fiscal depute, said: “She was offended and appalled by what she saw, in particular a picture of the Star of David on a hangman’s noose.”

On July 24 Malcolm vandalised the window of Ms Mackay’s office with a red paint marker. Mr Allan said that the writing again included antisemitic and neo-Nazi symbols. The next day an employee contacted the police.

When officers went to Malcolm’s home the walls were covered with antisemitic and Nazi slogans, including “death to all Jews”. Mr Allan said Malcolm “stated that he was looking to shock people with his messages so that they would wake up and see the truth”. While Malcolm was in custody he smeared swastikas and other symbols on the walls of his cell in his own blood.

Mr Allan said that on August 9, after Malcolm had been bailed, police were given information that he had damaged gravestones at Old Aisle Cemetery in Kirkintilloch, where there are 38 graves of Commonwealth service personnel.

The Times

Suspended sentence after racist attack in Breightmet

By
December 15, 2018
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A MOTHER and her son were injured during a racially aggravated attack in Breightmet earlier this year, which resulted in one of the victims needing brain surgery.

Dale Hart outside Bolton Crown Court

The pair had been walking to a bus stop on their way to church, the 15-year-old son, Ray Nhial, had run ahead to make sure they caught the bus and ran past Dale Hart, who was walking in the opposite direction with his partner and child in a pram.

Bolton Crown Court heard how Hart thought Ray had hit or nudged the pram running past and said “watch where you’re going” or words to that effect.

A scuffle ensued the court was told by Colin Buckle, prosecuting, and Hart punched Ray. In the course of the scuffle Ray’s mother, Nyawig Mantywil Wor may have been struck as well.

Hart admitted in his plea that he had hurled racist abuse at the family.

The court was shown CCTV footage of the incident which happened in Padbury Way, Breightmet on Sunday, June 3 at about 2pm.

From the CCTV it was clear said The Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Martin Walsh that “there was no contact between Ray and the pram.”

Judge Walsh said: “You challenged him and after a verbal exchange, attacked him and punched him to the face.”

He added that: “It is apparent from the footage that you were the aggressor.”

The CCTV shows Mrs Wor stepping in to break the pair up, Judge Walsh said: “It is clear her actions were not aggressive but were designed and intended to bring an end to the scuffle… As the incident was being brought to an end you shouted racist abuse towards Ray Nhial and his family.”

Rosalind Scott Bell, defending, told the court: “He has to and did accept that in the heat of the moment he used language that was deeply offensive and he recognises such language is utterly inappropriate and he is contrite.

“The only matter Mr Hart was really concerned I conveyed was an apology to Mrs Wor and Ray themselves.”

Mrs Scott Bell told the court that Hart had been living in Glasgow with family for six months “for his own protection” and had been unable to return home in the last two weeks before sentencing because of concerning social media posts.

Mrs Scott Bell added: “He did accept he was the aggressor and they were his words.”

Following the incident the family got on the 561 First Bus and it drove away, however Mrs Wor became dizzy on the bus and got off to sit at another bus stop where she collapsed and was drifting in and out of consciousness.

Police officers and paramedics attended her and she was taken to Royal Bolton Hospital. There after a CT Scan it was discovered she hat a two brain bleeds and her brain had shifted inside her skull, requiring emergency surgery to relieve the pressure.

Mr Buckle told the court Mrs Wor was at a greater risk of brain bleeds because of a medical condition.

Yesterday the offender, Hart, aged 29, of Grantchester Way, Breightmet received a 12 month sentence, suspended for two years for affray and racially aggravated assault.

He must also complete 30 days of rehabilitation and carry out 180 hours unpaid work.

Bolton News

Half-naked racist alcoholic attacked policemen after television appearance

By
December 14, 2018
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Drunken Leah Neville, aged 44, called officers after seeing herself on the local news

Racist alcoholic Leah Neville spat and kicked a police officer

Racist alcoholic Leah Neville spat and kicked a police officer

A half-naked racist alcoholic attacked a policeman after seeing herself on the television news, a court heard.

Drunken Leah Neville, aged 44, called officers herself after seeing footage of her abusive behaviour in a takeaway on BBC Spotlight.

Police attended after she threatened to take an overdose but she ended up lashing out at officers, Plymouth Crown Court heard.

Neville had taken off her trousers because she had spilt water over them from a cat’s bowl.

She was jailed for 14 months for a string of offences.

Judge Paul Darlow said: “You unleashed a torrent of foul-mouthed abuse at a businessman in a takeaway simply trying to serve the public.

“Taken together (these offences) demonstrate a clear pattern of alcohol and prescription drug-fuelled violent behaviour. You have come to the end of the road.”

Neville, of Cecil Street, Stonehouse, admitted assaulting a police officer in the execution of his duty on October 14.

She admitted racially-aggravated threatening behaviour at the Stoke Grill on April 16.

The offences put her in breach of a 10-month suspended prison sentence imposed last year for another racially-aggravated threatening behaviour offence.

Hollie Gilbery, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said Neville demanded to be served in the takeaway. But she was told she was banned because of her previous bad behaviour.

She then started to abuse worker Warven Saadi, saying: “I will kill you, I will slice open your throat.”

The court heard she also told him to “go back to your own country”

Miss Gilbery said that Neville twice threw menus at Mr Saadi. He later told police he felt “embarrassed and upset”.

She added that Neville called police on October 14, apparently having seen the takeaway incident on the regional television news.

Miss Gilberry said officers attended but she became violent, spitting and kicking out at one male constable. She also ripped an epaulette from his shoulder.

The barrister said that during the incident she knocked the water from a cat’s bowl over her legs – and insisted on taking off her trousers.

Miss Gilberry said that officers were forced to call a female colleague because of her state of undress.

Nick Lewin, for Neville, said: “She is obviously a very pathetic individual. She is a very confused woman.”

He pointed to a probation report which helped explain her behaviour – factors which were not aired in court.

Mr Lewin said: “It clearly provides an explanation as to why she has an unhealthy relationship with alcohol. She is a classic alcoholic.

“She cannot it seems make that break. She is gradually falling apart physically and mentally.”

He added she had serious and long-term mental health dificulties.

The barrister said the was on a range of different medications.

Mr Lewin said there had been some “limited success” on her community order.

He added: “She is not a bad woman, she really is not a bad woman”.

Mr Lewin asked for a month’s remand in custody to provide her with an “immediate detoxification”. She would then be sentenced in January.

Plymouth Herald

Scuffle led to mum’s bleed on the brain

By
December 11, 2018
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A MAN has admitted starting a scuffle which left a mother critically injured with bleeds on the brain.

Dale Hart was due to stand trial at Bolton Crown Court yesterday accused of causing racially aggravated grievous bodily harm to the woman and racially aggravated assault of the woman’s teenage son.

The court heard how the woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffers from a disease which affects her kidneys, stops her blood clotting in the usual way and makes her more susceptible to bleeding.

The woman and her three children were walking along Padbury Way on June 3 and Hart was heading along the pavement in the opposite direction.

Judge Martin Walsh was told how 29-year-old Hart believed the woman’s son had bumped into the pram being pushed by his partner and the court was shown CCTV, taken from a nearby bus, of the defendant aggressively confronting the boy. Hart swung a punch at the teenager, and made racially insulting remarks, as the mother and the rest of her family tried to intervene.

A scuffle ensued and, shortly afterwards, the woman collapsed with two subdural haematomas, bleeds on the brain, which needed surgery.

After discussions between the prosecution and defence Hart, of Grantchester Way, Breightmet ,pleaded guilty to affray and racially aggravated assault of the boy.

Colin Buckle, prosecuting, said: “It cannot be said with any degree of certainty when, during the incident, that the subdural haematoma began.” But he added that Hart’s behaviour had started the incident.

Rosalind Scott-Bell, defending, said: “He is a man who has previous convictions, albeit non for the last 10 years. It is out of character for him now to behave in such a way. Something quite clearly went wrong that day.”

Judge Walsh adjourned sentencing until Friday to allow pre-sentence reports to be prepared on Hart. “The fact that I am asking for a report and extending his bail is no indication of the sentence,” he added.

Bolton News

Teen scrawled swastikas in blood during neo-Nazi crime spree in Scottish town

By
December 7, 2018
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James Malcolm also painted a Star of David hanging from a gallows on an MSP’s office and knocked over war graves during his campaign of hate.

A vandal scrawled anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi symbols on an MSPs office window.

James Malcom, 18, used red paint to write the symbols, including a Star of David being hung on gallows, at Rona MacKay’s Kirkintolloch office.

He then caused £14,000 of damage to 27 headstones at a cemetery with a Nazi swastika symbol scribbled on broken glass found at one of them.

During his two-month crime spree, Malcolm yelled “Heil Hitler” at a terrified 16-year-old in a park.

He vandalised Lenzie Moss Nature Reserve and Waverly and Luggie Park in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire, and used his blood to write offensive slogans on the wall of a police cell.

James Malcolm scrawled anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi symbols on an MSPs office window

James Malcolm scrawled anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi symbols on an MSPs office window

Malcolm pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to four charges of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, a charge of maliciously damaging headstones and writing offensive slogans on a cell between June 1 and August 9, this year.

The court heard a member of the public spotted graffiti on a glass notice board at Lenzie Moss Nature Reserve on July 17.

He saw “Glory to marches and enemies to the point of no return” in blue paint, along with Nazi slogans and symbols as well as “James M”, scratched on to a sign among the post.

Procurator fiscal depute Mark Allan said the man was “offended and horrified” and took a picture then reported it to the police.

On July 23, Malcolm graffitied in red paint on a bridge above the main path leading to Luggie Park.

Days later a dog-walker saw “Adolf Hitler”, “All N*****s must hang” and “white power” among other phrases.

Mr Allan said: “She was offended and appalled by what she saw, in particular a picture of the Star too David on a hangman’s noose, which reminded her of a personal tragic event.”

She contacted the police who took a note of the full text on the bridge.

The cost of the damage was £500 for the removal of the graffiti.

On July 24, Malcolm was with a group of younger teenagers who ran off when he began to vandalise the window at Miss MacKay’s office with a red paint marker.

Mr Allan said the writing again included anti-Semitic and neo-Nazi symbols.

The following day an employee “felt uncomfortable about the content” of the vandalism and contacted the police.

Investigations lead to Malcolm and officers went to his house to speak to him.

The court heard when they went into his home they saw the walls were covered with anti-Semitic and Nazi slogans including “death to all jews” and “death to all non whites”.

He was taken to London Road police office to be interviewed.

Mr Allan added: “He initially made no comment, however when being asked about the phrases on the bridge he admitted he was responsible and when shown photographs he began to explain the correct phrases, symbols and icons and provided meaning and context.

“He also stated that he was looking to shock people with his messages so that they would wake up and see the truth.

“He didn’t see anything wrong with what he had done however stated that he was getting punished because it was the establishment’s rules.”

Malcolm said he didn’t intend to hurt anybody and only want get his messages out.

When he was held in custody to attend at court, he smeared swastikas and other symbols on the walls of his cell with his own blood.

Having been bailed at court, Malcolm shouted Nazi phrases at a 16-year-old at Waverly Park and threatened him with a Buckfast bottle.

He left the park after he was told by two passers-by that they had contacted the police.

Mr Allan said that on August 9, police were given information that Malcolm had damaged and pushed over grave stones at Old Aisle Cemetery in Kirkintilloch.

The court heard there are 38 graves of Commonwealth service personnel from the first and second World Wars in the graveyard and this is signposted.

When police arrived they saw several headstones had been pushed over and that the damage appeared fresh with the soil newly turned over.

Mr Allan continued: “A total of 27 headstones within different sections of the cemetery had been damaged.

“Some had been pushed over and some had been broken in two. Two of the headstones appeared to have had glass bottles smashed off them.

“At one of the headstones they found a small piece of broken glass with writing which included a Nazi swastika and Germanic runes.

The court was told the damage is £14,000 although that may go up as some headstones will need more work than others.

When he was later arrested Malcolm told police “I know I shouldn’t have done it, I don’t know why.”

Sheriff Alan MacKenzie deferred sentence until a later date and Malcolm was remanded.

Daily Record

Drunk chanted ‘EDL, EDL’ at Asian police officer during pub bonfire party

By
November 23, 2018
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Matthew Pond carried out the racist abuse at the pub his own mother runs in Ilkeston

Mathew pond pictured leaving court in Derby (Image: Derby Telegraph)

Mathew pond pictured leaving court in Derby (Image: Derby Telegraph)

A drunk man racially-abused a police officer who had been called to a bonfire party at the defendant’s own mother’s Derbyshire pub.

A court heard how Matthew Pond asked the Asian officer “Have you been to prayers, today?” before repeatedly chanting “EDL, EDL” at him in reference to the far-right political group the English Defence League.

Emma Heath-Tilford, prosecuting, said the offence took place at The Bridge Inn, in Bridge Street, Cotmanhay, on November 5.

She said officers were asked to attend to Pond who was “being held down on the floor” by other pub goers due to his “aggressive behaviour”.

‘Clearly intoxicated’

Miss Heath-Tilford said: “He was outside by the bonfire, clearly intoxicated, shouting and swearing.

“Officers tried to talk to him to find out what was happening and he continued to shout and swear so they tried to put handcuffs on him.

“He was resisting them as they arrested him for being drunk and disorderly he turned to PC Atwal and asked him ‘What time did you go to prayers today?’

“Then, while they were waiting for transportation (to take the defendant into custody) he was repeatedly shouting ‘EDL, EDL’ which the officer took as a reference to the English Defence League.”

‘Indian ethnicity’

Miss Heath-Tilford told Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court that PC Atwal is of Indian ethnicity and took what Pond was saying to him as “racial abuse”.

In a victim impact statement, which was read to the court, the officer said: “The language that was used towards me was horrific.

“I should not have to deal with this kind of abuse while on duty as a police officer when all I am trying to do is my job,”

Pond, 32, of Cotmanhay Road, Ilkeston, was arrested, taken into custody and the following day, when he was shown the police’s body camera footage of the incident, said he felt “embarrassed” about his behaviour outside the pub.

‘Extremely embarrassed’

He pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly and to using racially-aggravated abusive, insulting or threatening words or behaviour.

Colleen Webb, for Pond, said her client had written a letter to the court expressing his apologies to PC Atwal about what he said to him.

She said: “He is extremely remorseful and embarrassed.

“That evening he had been at a bonfire event at his mum’s pub and had too much to drink.

“Clearly something triggered his behaviour but he has little recollection of the rest of the evening.

“Since the incident he has had to build bridges with his mother because she owns the Bridge Inn and he has also received some unfortunate remarks (about the incident) on Facebook.”

Magistrates handed Pond a 12-month community order, with 100 hours’ unpaid work.

They also ordered him to pay £100 compensation to PC Atwal, £85 prosecution costs and an £85 victim surcharge.
Derby Telegraph