Muslim Jailed for Racially Aggravated Assault

From Halifax Today:

A NEIGHBOUR pulled a knife at an engagement party in a row about the noise.

Sajid Adalat, 33, of Princeton Close, Pellon, Halifax, was convicted of racially aggravated assault occasioning bodily harm and jailed for two years and eight months.

A court heard the party was at the home of Adalat's neighbour, Martin White. Peter Hampton, prosecuting, said that at 11.45pm Adalat shouted from a bedroom window to keep the noise down as his children were trying to sleep.

Mr Hampton said Adalat was racially abusive. The neighbours rang the police but shortly afterwards Adalat entered Mr White's yard armed with a knife.

"He approached one guest, Darren Fermoyle, produced a six- inch blade and was three feet from him when he lunged towards him," said Mr Hampton.

Mr Fermoyle suffered a cut to the right side of his face and Adalat ran off.

He handed himself in to police later and said he believed his neighbours were racist and had made it all up.

Mr Hampton said Adalat had previous convictions for violence.

Gerard Doran, for Adalat, said: "He clearly expresses remorse."

He said there had been tension earlier between Adalat and his neighbours.

Recorder Tim Hirst, at Bradford Crown Court, said the knife was a frightening instrument "and that makes this assault really serious."