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Man given community sentence for ripping niqab from Muslim woman

Man given community sentence for ripping niqab from Muslim woman

Categories: Latest News

Friday October 31 2014

BBC News and STV News report on the sentencing of a man who ripped a niqab off the face of a Muslim woman in Dennistoun, Glasgow last year.

Shirin Akhter was shopping at the Lidl store in Dennistoun when Emiliano Sanchez stood in front of her as she exited the store and shouted at her “Why are you wearing this? This is not the Qur’an and is not allowed in this country.”

Sanchez then forcibly removed Akhter’s niqab and strode into the store where he told one of the workers, “Did you see that p**i? I told her to take that thing off her head.”

Sanchez, 59, was charged with racially aggravated harassment and acting in a racially aggravated manner. Sheriff Alayne Swanson at Glasgow Sheriff Court said that the offence was “serious enough” to merit jail and ordered Sanchez to carry out 250 hours of unpaid work. Sanchez was also made subject of a non harassment order barring him from approaching or contacting Ms Akhter within the next 12 months.

Procurator fiscal Katie Stewart, said: “Emiliano Sanchez subjected his innocent victim to an unprovoked assault and tirade of abuse solely based on her appearance.

“Such behaviour is totally unacceptable and every man, woman and child has the right to live free from violence, and without fear of humiliation, harassment or abuse, based on prejudice.

“We would encourage the public to report all such crimes to the police where, as with this case, they will be investigated carefully and prosecuted.”

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