Thaer Shook, a 31-year-old man who fled war-torn Syria and settled in Birmingham, has been handed an 18-month community order for punching an innocent woman in Broad Street on July 24 this year, leaving her terrified and scared to leave her home.
Shook, previously of Holford Drive in Birmingham, launched the unprovoked attack as the victim walked along the city-centre street, sending her crashing to the ground. The heavy punch left her 'dazed and shocked', prosecutor Mr Person told Birmingham Magistrates' Court at Shook's sentencing hearing on August 19.
Describing the incident, Mr Person said: "The victim saw a male walking towards her. She had her AirPods in. She remembered seeing a clenched fist. She fell dazed and shocked. When she got up she saw her phone on the floor. She shouted at him and he fled."
No one intervened initially
Mr Person said that, initially, no one in the area intervened to aid the victim, but eventually help arrived. She was left with a bruised face. Police identified Shook by checking CCTV footage. The court heard that Shook has a previous conviction for arson.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, the woman said the attack had left her 'terrified' and 'really scared' to be in the city. "I always felt safe in Birmingham until this incident," she said. "I felt terrified. I didn't know what he could do. As a female, I should be able to walk around safely. This has made me question my personal safety. I do not know what the long-term emotional impact of this will be."
Defence cites trauma from war-torn Syria
Defending, Mohammed Naser, said Shook was already serving a prison sentence after being wanted for recall. Naser said Shook, who admitted assault by beating at an earlier hearing, had escaped 'war-torn' Syria where he was exposed to violence from a young age.
"Those who are exposed to things we only see on our TVs are traumatised," Naser said. "We can only begin to imagine the difficulties those people are under." He said it was 'no justification' for Shook's actions, but it was 'well-documented' that those exposed to violence from a young age could go on to offend. He added that his client also suffered from learning difficulties and a poor education.
Naser continued: "The victim was a stranger and entirely blameless. Having spoken to [Shook], he was genuinely at a loss to explain why he did it, other than he had been at an accommodation where he felt he was being picked on. He left in anger and reacted to someone wholly innocent."
Magistrate 'appalled' by behaviour
Sentencing Shook, Magistrate G. Hidderley said he was 'appalled' by his behaviour. "The lady you struck was entirely innocent and did not provoke your blow in any way," he told Shook. "We have heard you were upset following stuff at your accommodation but that provides no reason for your actions whatsoever. You should not only think about yourself, but also those around you."
Shook was sentenced to an 18-month community order, to begin when he is released from prison later this year. He was also ordered to undertake 100 hours of unpaid work and must complete 30 rehabilitation days for his behaviour. Shook was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the victim.
Mr Hidderley said there was a real 'possibility' Shook could return to prison if he committed further crimes or failed to work with probation staff. "Such an assault is unacceptable," said the magistrate. "Take him to the cells."
