Was this a racist attack?

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail....hears-used-drunk.html

/// A gang of Muslim girls who repeatedly kicked a young woman in the head walked free from court after a judge heard they were 'not used to being drunk' because of their religion.///

Although these Somalian Muslim thugs screamed 'kill the white ***' and also called her a "white bitch" they were not charged with racial aggravation.

Instead of being sentenced for assault, occasioning actual bodily harm which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, they were allowed by the judge to walk free.

/// They were given suspended sentences after hearing that they were not used to alcohol because their religion does not allow
it. ///

Their victim's sentence:

She was left so traumatised that she lost her job following repeated absences with stress and flashbacks, Seventeen months on from the attack, she is still undergoing counselling and suffers from panic attacks and flashbacks.

What can one say about the justice in this country? Except to say "there seems to be one law for some and another for others".

[chas2008]

perhaps they should have been tried under 'Sharia' law...bet that would of been a different outcome..

[Messi_Ten]

It was a racist attack.

The Croydon trammer never hurt anyone, but she's been locked up in an asylum for life.

[Sgt.Rock]

Of course it was a racist attack but the victims were white, so OK then.

[Old_Geezer]

As I understand it alcohol does not make folk more violent, but gives them an excuse to use when they choose to be so. And as I also understand it the fact that you are drunk is not normally an excuse; try using it to the copper who asks you if you will blow into his machine before he allows you to continue driving.

[mungbeanz]

I don't see why the religion of these she-hobbledehoys should have any part of this story. 4 black girls beat up a white girl after drinking booze and racially abused her. Maybe we need more 'community leaders' to bleat on until justice is served. Can you imagine if it was the other way round?

[anotheoldgit]

It would rightly seem that the majority of ABers consider this to be a racist attack.

Due to the light sentence, is it at all possible that this case could go before an appeals court, and who would it be up to, to implement this?

[jno]

"The Croydon trammer never hurt anyone, but she's been locked up in an asylum for life"

Eh? Where did you get that from? She's been remanded in custody for her own protection, and certainly not for life.

[jno]

aog, I think the CPS can appeal against verdicts but not in this case - they didn't lay racism charges in the first place (perhaps because the ABH charge is more serious, I don't know), so the defendants were not acquitted on them.

[exdc]

http://www.cps.gov.uk...ly_lenient_sentences/

Racially Aggravarted ABH carries a max sentence of 7 yrs, JNO.

[Sgt.Rock]

Interesting to note the absence on this thread of users who would be quick to condemn if the roles were reversed.

[jno]

oh, sorry, I meant it's too late to lay racism charges now; but yes, I think they can appeal over ABH sentences they think are too light.

However, I'm not sure they'd succeed. As I mentioned before, it's open to the judge to consider matters like it being a first offence, defendants unused to alcohol etc, in passing sentence. I think the sentence is too low myself, but an appeal court may feel it was well within the trial judge's discretion.

[Sgt.Rock]

Isn't there a case for incitement to murder (amongst others)?

[jno]

exdc, is racially aggravated ABH a separate offence? Because it doesn't appear to be what they were charged with. I don't think the CPS can now try to charge them with something different based ont he same event.

[exdc]

Jno, Certain offences, including ABH, can be classified as racially aggravated. When racial motivation or hostility is proved to be a factor in a criminal offence this increases the seriousness of the offence and results in a heavier sentence i.e.

ABH max 5yrs, Racially Aggravated ABH max 7 yrs

[joko]

even when the police arrived they continued with their arrogance and aggressive behaviour, instead of scarpering as most people would have done ...they acted as though they felt immune...they clearly had no concept of fear ... which they would have if they had been acting out of character... the presence of a vanful of coppers would have been enough to sober them up instantly id have thought....

i know the boyfriend was trying to help, but he was pretty ineffectual and more trying to shield her from then and keep them at arms length, rather than trying to actually stop them coming... he should have, in turn, given each girl and good few solid smacks until they were floored... then removed his girl.... as it was they just kept running rings round him and attacking her over and over...

[anotheoldgit]

I wonder if they would have been let off so lightly in their country of origin, Somalia?

[Gladeian]

I think that this sentence stinks and the judge needs "re-training" - IMHO this sentence is unduly lenient and the CPS should get the Attorney to refer the matter to the Court of Appeal - it is plainly a racist matter and had the victim been black then the sentence would have been different.

[mightyWBA]

Racism is a one way street.
I think we all know that....Best not to kick up a fuss..Cup of tea?