Man fined for verbal abuse of Muslim shop owner

The Hartlepool Mail reports on the trial of Craig Anthony Owens at Hartlepool Magistrates’ Court for abusing a Muslim shop owner who came to his aid after Owens suffered a nose injury.

Maboob Hussain the owner of Fatso’s Pizzeria in Hartlepool stepped out of his shop to offer Owens a tissue with which to wipe his bloodied nose when Owens turned to him and said, “why would I take that off you, you Muslim, you’re not British”.

Mr Hussain then asked Owens, who was drunk at the time, to step away from his shop but Owens launched into a wider tirade telling Hussain ‘why should I leave I’m British’ and shouting “derogatory terms about Allah”.

In his victim impact statement which was read out in court, Hussain said “I’ve worked in Hartlepool for many years and this is the worst abuse I’ve had.”

Owens pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour which was religiously aggravated on September 14. Chairman of the bench Patricia Hutchison fined Owens £180, ordered him to pay £120 compensation, £85 costs and a £20 victim surcharge.