Blackpool man in court over racist abuse of ‘Iraqi/Iranian’ group in public park

The Hull Daily Mail reports on the trial of a man who admitted racially aggravated harassment, threatening behaviour and assault of a police officer following an incident at Pearson Park in the city.

Hull magistrates’ court heard police officers were called to Pearson Park in response to a call from a person claiming a friend was being racially abused.

Dale Kershaw, 26, was seen acting aggressively and repeatedly shouting at a group of people in the park when officers arrived.

The group was described by one officer as being of “Iraqi or Iranian” appearance. Kershaw is said to have shouted “these f****** c**** shouldn’t be in our country. They think they can come over here, but I’m just not having it. F****** P*** c****'” according to one of the officers.

Hull magistrates court heard that when an officer approached, Kershaw “started walking towards the officer and was swearing and acting aggressively.”

The officer and Kershaw’s friends tried to calm him down but he kept shouting and swearing. When arrested, Kershaw made “death threats” to officers and spat in the face of one of them.

Kershaw admitted racially aggravated harassment, use of threatening behaviour and assault of a police constable.

The court heard Kershaw had 22 previous convictions for 33 offences, one of which was racially aggravated.

Kershaw’s mental health issues were raised in mitigation of his conduct and the court was told Kershaw was not a racist because he “has a mixed-race brother”.

Kershaw’s lawyer told the court, “He cannot understand why he said the word P*** as he remembers seeing a Polish group.”

The case has been adjourned for pre-sentencing reports to be prepared and Kershaw will return for sentencing on November 3.