MANSFIELD WOODHOUSE: Man tagged after hate incident

Michael Willets, 19, of Woodland Grove, Mansfield Woodhouse, pleaded guilty to the attack which took place outside a shop at about 8.30pm on 10th May, 2013.

He was convicted of racially aggravated abuse, threatening and violent behaviour, and criminal damage at Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, 14th November 2013.

The court heard that Willets had been drinking when he had walked into the shop, in Leeming Lane South. He racially abused the shopkeeper and threatened him with violence, the court heard.

When the shopkeeper refused to respond, Willets walked to a car park at the rear of the shop and returned with a brick.

The victim had called police and realising this, Willets returned to the car park and threw the brick through a rear window of a car.

Willets was sentenced to a community order which runs to 5th January 2014 and he will be subject to an electronic tag until next year. He was also banned from entering the shop and ordered to pay £350 costs.

PC Mick Colley said: “This shows the firm stance that the courts take towards hate crime. This was Willets’ first offence but his sentence shows that we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour.

“The last thing anyone should expect is the fear of violence or to be targeted by prejudiced or discriminatory behaviour.”