'Asian' Teens Shouted "White Trash" at Social Worker

From The Lancashire Evening Post:

A group of students has admitted hurling racist abuse at a female social care worker in Lancashire.

Two 16-year-olds and two 17-year-olds, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, admitted to committing a racially aggravated public order offence on April 1.

The youths were sentenced to a six-month referral order and ordered to pay compensation.

Mohammed Akubat, 18, of Queens Road, Fulwood, was also bound to keep the peace for the sum of £100 for six months but was not convicted of any criminal offence.

The court heard how the teenagers had been "play fighting" down an alley when the worker, who cares for the elderly and disabled, approached them to walk towards the entrance of a building.

Don Green, prosecuting, said obscene racist language was hurled towards the woman which included "white trash", "white bitch" and a range of other verbal abuse.

He added: "She was obviously upset at what happened and upset at what was going on.

"The complainant has had a difficult time – there have been problems regarding her confidence.

"She is certainly a very different person than what she was."
The solicitor said the complainant has been losing sleep and taking medication following the incident.

James Ball, who spoke for two of the defendants, said: "This offence happened in a matter of seconds and fortunately the young lady involved was not harmed in anyway but they accept it must be very distressing to her."

The other defendants made similar statements through their solicitors.
It was emphasised that all of the defendants have potentially "bright futures" ahead and no previous criminal records.

Steve Scott, defending Akubat, argued that his client was in the "wrong place at the wrong time".

He was subsequently ordered to keep the peace but unlike his co-defendants was not convicted of any criminal charge. Presiding magistrate Keith Neary said: "This is a very, very nasty incident and the court takes a very, very dim view of what we have heard."

He ordered the youths to pay £50 each in compensation to the victim and a further £50 each in court costs.

The youngsters were also given referral orders for six months and must report to the Lancashire Youth Offending Team.

After sentencing the youths, he said to the victim: "You may think that the sentence is inappropriate for the action taken against you.

"In the case of youths, these were people with previous good character and the sentences available to the court in such circumstances are limited and we have had to impose the sentence within the guidelines."