Shafiq Rahman, 48, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault, fear or provocation of violence by words and criminal damage at Reading Magistrates' Court on Friday, according to court officials. The victim was working in Elliman Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, on April 20 when Rahman cycled past and started shouting abuse, prosecutors said. A video of the attack showed Rahman calling the victim a 'dirty Jew', accusing him of 'killing babies in Palestine' and threatening to 'break his jaw', the court heard.
District Judge Devinder Sandhu described the attack as a 'pure hate crime', according to court reports. Rahman appeared in the dock wearing a grey prison jumper and spoke to confirm his name, address and date of birth and admit the charges. Prosecutor Anushka A said the victim was targeted because he was wearing a kippah, a Jewish skullcap.
I am appalled and startled by what I saw on that footage, a completely unprovoked attack on a man who was simply doing his job.
The victim, who gave his name to the BBC as Moshe, was not in court. Judge Sandhu released Rahman on bail to be sentenced at Reading Crown Court along with other matters on July 10, court records show.
Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim north and east London, said the victim is 'deeply shocked and surprised that a person can behave in such a manner', according to a statement. Rabbi Gluck said the Government needs to do more to prevent such incidents, calling for stronger action against hate crimes.
He's recovering, but of course it's a shock to the system.
First of all they need to speak to us to understand what is going on, and then deal with it as a British matter. They need to approach this matter from the perspective...