Man fined for abusing Muslim, asking him “Have you got your suicide belt?”

The Nottingham Post reports on a fine imposed on a man who abused a Muslim asking him “Have you got your suicide belt?”

Modou Ceesay, 40, appeared before Nottingham magistrates on Friday 9 September in connection with the incident.

The court heard that the victim was visiting a sick relative when Ceesay began abusing him in the street.

Ceesay is said to have yelled: “I am an original Muslim, you are not. I come from Gambia. I am original – go back to your own country. I’ll have you.”

Ceesay then retreated inside his house before returning with his passport which he slammed on the wall, saying “I am original, you are in my country.”

The victim, who initially urged Mr Ceesay to go back indoors began recording the confrontation on a mobile phone when he heard the remark about a “suicide belt.”

The victim told the police he felt “targeted as a Muslim.”

The court heard Mr Ceesay had been drinking to excess when the incident happened. Mr Ceesay expressed regret for his conduct saying it was “out of character.”

Ceesay pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated harassment.

Presiding magistrate Laura Woodings, told Ceesay: “This is a relatively unpleasant incident. This person should get something for what he went through. It is appropriate that he receives something for the hurt and embarrassment.”

Ceesay was ordered to pay £50 in victim compensation and £40 prosecution costs. He was handed a one-year conditional discharge for the offence.