A drunken thug, who was previously jailed for glassing his ex-girlfriend, has been convicted of subjecting a Newcastle postmaster to a barrage of racist abuse.
Carl Needham, 34, of Hodgsons Road, Blyth, admitted a charge of racially aggravated threatening behaviour when he appeared at Newcastle Magistrates' Court last week.
The racially/religiously aggravated element makes this an offence under section 31(1) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998. The maximum penalty is 2 years' custody and/or an unlimited fine on conviction on indictment; 6 months' custody (12 months for offences committed after 2nd May 2022) and/or an unlimited fine on summary conviction.
Magistrates heard that Needham entered Benwell Grove Post Office, on Newcastle's West Road, on the afternoon of Saturday, 1st December 2021.
Postmaster Rafaqat Ali, who has sadly since died, was behind the counter when Needham became immediately loud and disruptive.
Niamh Reading, prosecuting, said: "Mr Ali did tell him to stop shouting. The defendant then became very aggressive, shouting 'Come on, make me leave'. Mr Ali said he was too elderly to fight him.
"The defendant continued to shout at him, saying 'You nonce, you Paki bastard'. The defendant continued to shout at Mr Ali, shouting 'You black bastard'.
"The defendant got more and more angry. The defendant came towards the counter where Mr Ali was stood and took hold of the Perspex screen in front of him and shook it. Mr Ali was scared for him and his colleagues."
Mr Ali called the police and rolled down the shop's shutters to detain Needham until their arrival.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Ali said: "I'm appalled that I was racially abused in my own store in 2021. This sort of behaviour should be confined to the Dark Ages and I don't expect to come to work and be a victim of such abuse. I hope this male feels the full force of justice."
Neil Connell, mitigating, highlighted that his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity, was in receipt of benefits and was currently being financially supported by his mother.
Having heard the circumstances, Magistrates were of the view that the offence was serious enough to merit a community order.
Needham was made subject to an 18 month community order, but sadly the full requirements of that order have gone unreported. It is likely to have included a hefty chunk of programme and/or rehabilitation activity requirement.
He was fined £120 (presumably added to the order as a punitive element) and ordered to pay £85 towards prosecution costs and £95 surcharge.
What a thoroughly unpleasant offence for decent, hardworking postmaster providing a valuable service to his community.
Needham should be utterly ashamed of his abysmal conduct. Sadly, there's a chance he isn't.
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