Decorator who daubed pigs head on wall of Muslim home fined

The Lancashire Telegraph reports on the trial of a decorator who was found guilty of daubing racist abuse and drawing a pig’s head on the walls of a Muslim homeowner’s property in Blackburn.

The paper reports Stephen Gary Oliver, 54, drew the offending images and then papered over the markings as he  carried out a decorating job.

Blackburn Magistrates Court heard that Wajid Hussain had arranged for Oliver to decorate part of his home in Montague Street, but that a dispute later developed over payment.

Enza Geldard, prosecuting, told the court: “The defendant then wrote on the walls in permanent marker various racist remarks and a picture of a pig’s head.”

Due to the “poor quality workmanship” Mr Hussain peeled off the wallpaper and discovered the offensive material.

Mrs Geldard told the court, “When the words and picture became visible Mr Hussain reported the matter to the police.”

Ian Huggan, defending Oliver, claimed the problem with the work was “due to the temperature in the room which meant things weren’t drying”. He said Mr Hussain wanted Oliver “to do more work but for the original price”. 

Huggan said his client “foolishly wrote and drew the things you have heard about and then tried to cover them up. It was extremely foolish and he knows he shouldn’t have done it.”

Oliver pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage. He was fined £80 and order to pay £140 compensation to Mr Hussain, as well as £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge.