Man admits attack on Orthodox Jewish man

A man has admitted racially aggravated assault after being filmed abusing an Orthodox Jewish man and accusing him of "killing babies".

Shafiq Rahman, 48, of Lismore Park, Slough, admitted racially aggravated common assault, fear or provocation of violence by words and criminal damage at Reading Magistrates' Court.

The charges relate to an incident that happened in Slough on Monday afternoon, in which police said officers were called and that a man in his 20s had been threatened.

District Judge Devinder Sanhu described the attack as a "pure hate crime".

The victim, who gave his name as Moshe, previously told BBC News he was approached while working at a property in Elliman Avenue in Slough on Monday when a man cycled past and started shouting abuse at him.

Video footage filmed by Moshe was shown in court showing Rahman accusing him of "killing babies in Palestine", threatening to "break his jaw", and knocking the phone out of his hand.

Judge Devinder Sanhu said: "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."

Anushka A, prosecuting, said: "I believe the victim was wearing a kippah and believes that for this reason he was targeted in this attack."

The victim was not in court, but part of a statement he gave to police was read out.

It read: "This incident has changed my perspective on what it is to be a Jew openly in public."

He said that while he had "read about attacks on the news" he had not experienced anything like it before and felt "physically targeted due to my religion".

Rahman was granted bail to be sentenced on 10 July.

Rabbi Herschel Gluck, president of Shomrim north and east London, a volunteer-run neighbourhood watch group, said the victim was "deeply shocked and surprised that a person can behave in such a manner".

"He's recovering, but of course it's a shock to the system," he said.

Rabbi Gluck added: "One incident like this is one incident too many.

"I think every decent human being would be shocked by this incident.

"Most people in the UK, of all backgrounds, are decent human beings.

"This shouldn't happen anywhere, or to anyone."

A spokesperson from Jewish charity the Community Security Trust called it a "disgraceful, terrifying incident".

It said: "No-one should be targeted because of who they are, and antisemitic hate crimes like this continue to create fear and anxiety for Jewish people across the country.

"We will keep working with the police, government, and local communities to ensure that antisemitic hate is tackled wherever it appears."

Investigating officer Det Insp Terry Dixon, of the Berkshire east priority crime team, said: "I hope that Rahman's conviction today shows our communities just how seriously we take incidents of this nature, and how we will do everything in our power to bring those who commit hate crimes to justice as swiftly as possible."