A heated row that ended with an Iranian asylum seeker branding a parking warden ‘English’ has resulted in his conviction for racial abuse.
Hull Magistrates Court heard that Mohammed Akhlaghi, 35, shoved Robert St Paul in the back and used the word “English” in a derogatory manner as he confronted the startled attendant during a fierce exchange after illegally parking his car.
The Daily Express reports the confrontation happened in Hull city centre on August 6 last year when Mr. Akhlaghi reacted angrily after being handed a ticket.
The defendant pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault by beating and in his defence Mr. Akhlaghi, of Hull, claimed he had been the victim of racial abuse over the last seven years he has lived in the UK.
In mitigation, his solicitor John Seagrave said: “Mr Akhlaghi 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.”
Sentencing him to 100 hours of unpaid community work and £145 in costs, Judge Frederick Rutherford said: “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.”
Mr. Akhlaghi was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid community work and ordered to pay £85 costs and a victim surcharge of £60.
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.”
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