Man handed community sentence for assault on Muslim male

Local paper, Pendle Today, reports on the trial of a man who attacked a Muslim male as he left his workplace in Nelson, Lancashire in the early hours on 21 February.

Calling Thomas, 24, was “groggy” from drink when he set upon Zeshan Elahi as he left work. Burnley Magistrates’ court heard Thomas ran towards Elahi shouting “come on then” while brandishing what the victim thought was a stick or a bat. Thomas kicked Elahi on his ankle as the victim was approached from behind by another man. Elahi fled back to his place of work for safety later returning with his brother and a colleague.

Thomas, who was subject to a conditional discharge at the time of the February incident, claimed he had been the victim of a racially motivated attack. The court hard he had 33 previous convictions and a record of going out drinking and getting into fights.

A probation officer who interviewed Thomas told the court: “He says he has now stopped that drinking behaviour. He says he has not had a drink since the night of the criminal damage. He has been making changes in his life.”

Thomas, who also smashed his ex-partner’s window three months later, admitted assault by beating and criminal damage. He was handed a 12-month community order, with a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement, and fined £20. He was also ordered to pay a total of £80 compensation.