Man fined for racially abusing passersby while high on drink and drugs

The Huddersfield Examiner reports on a fine imposed on a man who racially abused passers-by and shouted “EDL, EDL” and “Allahu Akbar” while high on drink and drugs.

Police were called to the Cambridge Hotel in Huddersfield on 19 August upon reports a man was “acting strangely”.

Police found Andrew Batty, 27, sat on the floor inside the hotel and trying to set fire to his clothes.

Batty had knocked over some wheelie bins and had pushed a woman to the floor before making his way to the hotel. Concerned for his mental state, police approached Mr Batty but he ran off. Police gave chase and eventually stopped him but he was shouting out “Come on, I’ll stab you with my knife.”

Batty then continued to shout “EDL, EDL” and “Allahu Akbar” before racially abusing a group of men who passed by.

Batty was arrested and taken to a police cell where he spat at officers placing him in detention.

Appearing before Kirklees magistrates court, Batty admitted to a charge of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour but said he couldn’t remember the incident because “he was on drink and drugs”.

Batty claimed he “didn’t have a problem with people of a different race to him” but District Judge Michael Fanning told him:  “You can’t behave in this way.

“We’re trying to clear up society and when people shout the things you were shouting it undermines these efforts.”

Mr Batty was fined £240 and ordered to pay £85 costs and £30 victim surcharge.