Motorist prosecuted for calling traffic warden 'English'

superbeets · May 12, 2016

[h=2]Mohammed Akhlaghi swore at traffic warden telling him he was "English" during argument over a parking fine[/h]

Mohammed Akhlaghi pleaded guilty at Hull Magistrates Court to racially aggravated assault by beating Photo: SWNS

By Nicola Harley

6:37PM GMT 11 Mar 2016

A motorist has been prosecuted for racially abusing a traffic warden by calling him "English".

Mohammed Akhlaghi swore at traffic warden Robert St Paul by telling him he was "English" during an argument over a parking fine.

Humberside Police charged Akhlaghi, 35, with being racist during the incident which also saw him push Mr St Paul in the back.

superbeets · May 12, 2016

It happened in Hull city centre on August 6 last year when Akhlaghi, who is from Iran, reacted angrily at being handed a ticket.

He pleaded guilty at Hull Magistrates Court to racially aggravated assault by beating.
In his defence Akhlaghi, of Hull, claimed he had been the victim of racial abuse.
He said he has been subjected to abuse over the last seven years he has lived in the UK.
Despite pleading guilty to the offence last month, Akhlaghi argued that the incident had not been racially aggravated and that he had not been fully aware of proceedings due to his limited level of English and lack of legal representation.

District Judge Frederick Rutherford rejected his claims and ruled Akhlaghi had been racist towards the traffic warden while he was carrying out his duties.
"You did attend on the last occasion before this court and you pleaded guilty," Judge Rutherford said.
"You were not represented but we did go through the matter in some detail.
"I know you take exception to what was said, but what I have accepted is that what you did was limited, but nonetheless racial.
"You have been subjected to racial abuse and you know how upsetting it is.
"You have reacted terribly to this particular man. It must not happen again."
He was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid community work and ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £60.
His solicitor John Seagrave added: "He is 35, he came from Iran in 2009 and has no record whatsoever. He did express remorse in interview.
"Unfortunately, he has been the recipient of racial abuse himself.
"Being involved in this case has assisted him, as he has been put on the right track.
"He hopes to start work at his cousin's takeaway soon."
Hull City Council spokesperson said: “Our staff have the right to work in an environment free from physical, verbal and racial abuse. We have a duty of care towards them and will always support a member of our team against perpetrators of such behaviour.”

superbeets · May 12, 2016

It follows two incidents where a Welsh man was taken to court for calling his girlfriend "English" and an English woman for calling her neighbour "Australian".

superbeets · May 12, 2016

In 2013 Elen Humphreys, of Garndolbenmaen, near Porthmadog, Wales, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment, after she branded Angela Payne an "English cow".
Humphreys was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay Angela Payne £50 in compensation.

superbeets · May 12, 2016

[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif]Czech–born Petra Mills was brought before the court in 2012 for calling her New Zealand neighbour a "stupid fat Australian".[/FONT]