A 16-year-old boy allegedly punched a frail and elderly Pakistani man more than 20 times in a “ferocious” attack at a Belfast train station, a court heard today.
The youth inflicted severe facial wounds during the suspected racially-motivated assault at the City Hospital halt earlier this month, police claimed.
A man and woman were also badly injured when they attempted to intervene.
Details emerged as the teenager, who cannot be named because of his age, faced charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, attempted grievous bodily harm.
He was granted bail under strict conditions which include a ban on going near the scene of the incident on October 6.
Belfast Magistrates’ Court heard the initial victim, described as an older Pakistani man in poor health, was confronted as he crossed a footbridge between the hospital and adjacent train station.
The defendant allegedly blocked his path, subjected him to a racial slur and launched an initial attack.
Based on CCTV footage, an investigating detective said the man was struck approximately 20 times about the head and body before two women came to his aid.
However, the teenager pursued him and inflicted a further four blows, according to police.
The elderly victim required surgery after suffering a facial fracture and damaged eye lens in the attack.
A 15-year-old girl is accused of ripping a clump of hair from the head of one of the women who attempted to intervene.
She is due to appear in court next month on related charges.
Both teenagers also allegedly turned on another man who tried to stop the attack, the court heard.
He was knocked to the ground and kicked about the head and body, sustaining a black eye and headaches.
Opposing bail, the detective insisted: “This was a ferocious and sustained attack, not only on one person but two others who intervened on behalf of the victim. All three have sustained significant injuries.”
The teenager’s barrister, Paul Bacon, acknowledged the charges were aggravated by the alleged racial motivation.
But referring to the CCTV evidence, he stressed: “Identification is the key issue in this case.”
Mr Bacon confirmed the accused is still in education and could be released to live with his father.
Granting bail, District Judge Conor Heaney cited the high bar for keeping juvenile defendants in custody.
Mr Heaney ordered the youth not to enter the grounds of City Hospital or post anything on social media about the case under the terms of his release.
by heresmewhaa
16 comments
Hope they have the right person, he’s found guilty, and gets locked up
Throw the keys away
When I read “bail” I reckon the sigh I released could have been heard next-door. Sure why not just give him a lollypop on his way out the door too.
Ffs this is dreadful
Another prime example of the justice system. Let him out anyway
Why ruin your life like that and get a criminal record. There was no way the police weren’t going to get involved in that. If you have those views just keep them to yourself and live your life.
Few more years and he’ll be down protecting women outside Connswater
Stick that wee bastard on a deserted island as punishment for a month and see how he likes those apples.
Annnnd this is why I will never return home with my quirky and beautiful bi-racial family.
Racists are everywhere but by fuck does the loyalist community top the leader board on this kind of stuff.
Which sadly, are the only places I could actually live if I was to come home.
Scrote bags of the highest order, parents should be very proud.. And bail? Our wee justice system hasn’t a clue, nor do the judges..
Throw away the keys and investigate the parents. I’d bet ANYTHING they were (at best!) negligent in their supervisory and pastoral duties (ie ignored their teenagers, allowed them to use the internet in an unregulated manner and clearly allowed them to be out and about entirely unsupervised and embolden to commit assault), or (at worst) they are liable for actually inciting violence and social disorder (broadcasting racist rhetoric in front of their kids, teaching them to hate innocent people based on their appearance alone, and maybe even talking about wanting to attack people themselves – who knows?).
This shit does not happen in a vacuum. Hence, investigate!
Youth offenders need tougher sentences when their crimes are this heinous. And the quicker we investigate and penalise parents who have been proven either fully or partly responsible for the outcome in these instances, the quicker we’ll see youth behaviour calm back down, because people will be forced to start actually taking care of their kids.
(And yes, I’m a parent myself, and grew up an eldest sister to brothers, so I do have enough hands on experience with kids and teenagers to base this opinion on rather than just an angry whim.)
Those kids are away home for a pat on the head from their dads or uncles. This abuse isn’t just coming from the kids, it’s passed down. Racism is taught, and they had such evil in them
Absolute tramps
Community leadership is needed to start to address this. Politicians, sports people, church leaders, and everyone else should be brave and vocal in condemning this violent racism and should be seen to build bridges with immigrant communities.
so this was the one where loads in social media were asking, why had their description not been given, usual doctors and engineers and small boats comments.
There was someone claimed to be there, they said there were immigrants attacking people for no reason other than being white.
https://preview.redd.it/2f6snm51g0yf1.jpeg?width=1080&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=c68c8e6d01973d1e915659cac7e8ea633a660fe0
Feel so sorry for the wee man. And good on those people for intervening, I hope they are all OK. Vicious little scum bags. Disgusting behaviour that will cause ripples of fear throughout our immigrant / minority community.
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