Man who abused Muslim woman in Asda causing her niqab to fall fined £45

The Chronicle reports on a £45 fine imposed on a man who verbally abused and physically assaulted a Muslim woman in an Asda supermarket store in Gosport.

Joseph Tudor admitted racially/religiously aggravated common assault at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court last month.

The court heard Tudor approached his victim, who wears a face veil, in the store shouting “Get that off, you’re in the UK – have you not seen the news recently? There’s no place for burkas in this country.”

The victim said Tudor had called her “a terrorist” and shoved her in the shoulder causing her veil to fall away and minor injury to her upper body.

Newcastle Crown Court sentenced Tudor to a 25-day community order with a rehabilitation activity requirement and a £45 fine. Tudor was also ordered to pay costs of £40 and a victim surcharge of £60, but was not told to pay any compensation to his victim.

Councillor Dipu Ahad described the court’s judgment as a “slap in the face” saying the ruling “sends totally the wrong message – a speeding ticket would be more than that, £45 is nothing.”

Cllr Ahad, who supported the victim through the criminal justice process, said “I think the 25-day rehabilitation is fantastic because clearly this man needs support.

“But a £45 fine is a slap in the face to anyone who is campaigning against Islamophobia.

“Something a lot stronger would give a message to Islamophobes and racists that people are going to take it seriously.

“People are reluctant to report hate crime because they don’t feel confident in the system, and this will make some more reluctant.”

Ahad said the local Muslims has reacted to the court judgment with “shock and anger”. He said, “The victim has been scared to go out since, and others who have heard the story have also been scared.”

Newcastle Crown Court heard Tudor was “remorseful” for the “abhorrent” attack and that he suffered “a multitude of problems” including anger, depression and anxiety.