CPS West Midlands: Successful Hate crime Cases – November 2024
In November 2024, the CPS West Midlands Magistrates’ and Crown court units successfully prosecuted various hate crime cases. Below are some of the cases.
On 11 November 2023, a 41-year-old-defendant from Ross-on-Wye repeatedly racially abused a member of staff in a pub. He was charged with a racially aggravated public order act offence which he denied but was convicted after trial. On 19 November 2024 at Hereford Magistrates’ Court, he was sentenced to a 12-month community order with an unpaid work requirement which was increased to reflect the hate crime element.
On 27 March 2024, a 37-year-old defendant from Leamington Spa directed homophobic abuse towards a member of staff at a local supermarket. He entered a guilty plea at Worcester Magistrates’ Court on 12 November 2024 to a public order act offence and was sentenced to a conditional discharge. The operational period of the discharge was extended to reflect the hate crime element.
A 57-year-old defendant from Sandwell harassed her neighbour over four months and was racially abusive towards her during this period. The defendant was charged with numerous offences including an offence of racially aggravated harassment which she denied. She pleaded guilty to the offence on the trial date, and on 12 November 2024, she was sentenced to a 12-month community order with rehabilitation requirement days which were increased to reflect the hate crime element. She was also ordered to pay compensation.
On 31 October 2024, the 35-year-old defendant from Chester, racially abused a member of railway staff at Chester Railway Station and also made threats towards the staff member. The defendant was charged with a racially aggravated public order act offence which he admitted on 2 November 2024 at Chester Magistrates’ Court. He received an immediate custodial sentence of eight weeks which was increased to reflect the hate crime element.
On 28 April 2024, the 39-year-old defendant from Sandwell became homophobically abusive and threatening to paramedics in a local town centre. He was also racially abusive towards a member of security who tried to assist the paramedic. The defendant was charged with common assault in relation to the paramedic and a racially abusive public order act offence in relation to the member of security. The defendant pleaded guilty to both offences on 5 November 2024 at Dudley Magistrates’ Court. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with an unpaid work requirement where the number of hours were increased to reflect the hate crime element. He was also ordered to pay compensation to both complainants.
On 4 August 2024, police responded to the disorders taking place at the Holiday Inn Hotel on River Drive, Tamworth, Staffordshire when officers came under attack. The police received several reports about a 23-year-old being involved in the disorders. During the police investigation, police identified footage of the female making racist and derogatory comments towards those staying at the hotel. On 12 November 2024, she pleaded guilty at Stafford Crown Court and received a 9-month custodial sentence. The sentencing judge commented that the sentence was aggravated due to the comments being racially aggravated.