Matthew Jones, 30, of South Street, Cottingham, pleaded guilty to assault by beating and racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence after an incident on July 20 last year. The court heard that Jones, who was drunk, got out of his car and launched an unprovoked attack on a carwash worker near Hull.
Details of the Attack
The victim was sitting in his vehicle during a break due to rain and lack of customers. Jones pulled up behind him, parked extremely close, got out, and began yelling while banging on the worker's window. When the victim stepped out, Jones approached him directly, shouting and swearing, and the victim could smell alcohol on his breath. Jones then unleashed a barrage of racial abuse, grabbed the worker's clothing, and pulled him forward, leading to a scuffle.
The worker tried to distance himself, but Jones pursued him. In self-defense, the worker grabbed a set of small metal steps and threw them toward Jones. Other carwash employees attempted to intervene, but Jones continued shouting and swearing, yelling: 'I've had enough of you f****** foreigners coming here. F*** you. Come over here. I will knock you out. Come and hit me, you little s***.'
Aftermath and Arrest
The entire incident was captured on CCTV. As the victim called the police, Jones got back in his car and drove away but returned shortly afterward on foot to continue his verbal assault. Police arrived and arrested Jones. During his police interview, Jones denied his outburst was racist, calling it 'an observation.' He was also convicted of driving while under the influence of drink or drugs at a magistrates' court in July last year. Jones had five previous convictions.
Sentencing
Judge Gurdial Singh told Jones: 'You behaved disgracefully. He was doing nothing wrong and you launched into him.' Describing the attack as a 'deliberate attempt to demean, insult and abuse him,' the judge said, 'You meant it as a term of abuse. I am going to give you one chance and one chance only.' Jones received 250 hours of unpaid work, an alcohol treatment course, and 10 days of rehabilitation.
