Racist attacker spared jail with victim’s help

The victim of a racist assault has saved his attacker from jail after he told police everyone deserves a chance. Egyptian shopkeeper Alan Noaman said he did not want to see Anthony Weeks or his family suffer after he lost his job.

Weeks, 38, punched Mr Noaman at a leaving party for a colleague from Bookers cash-and-carry in Darlington last summer.

A court heard yesterday that Weeks launched a drunken verbal attack on Mr Noaman, who was at the event because he was a customer. It was said Weeks was upset at having to load Mr Noaman's van several weeks earlier because the trader had a back complaint.

Chris Williamson, prosecuting, told Teesside Crown Court that Weeks shouted: "I shouldn't have to do that... I only get £5.50 an hour."

Weeks then said he was a member of the British National Party, and shouted: "All you foreigners should not be in my country."

The court heard that Weeks then punched Mr Noaman, who runs Noaman's News, in Brook Terrace, in the town, before the two men tumbled to the floor and banged their heads.

Mr Noaman was taken to hospital and released, but went back the following day and was put under observations after he complained of dizziness. After initially making a complaint, Mr Noaman told police he wanted the charges to be dropped and said: "I hope this was a drunken mistake rather than a planned, thought-out attack."

Weeks, of Marsden Walk, Darlington, admitted racially aggravated assault when he appeared before magistrates in November. His case was transferred to crown court for sentencing, and he was yesterday given a ten month jail term, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £600 in compensation.

Judge Peter Bowers also ordered Weeks to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work for the community, and told him: "Whatever the background, this was grossly offensive behaviour. I think Mr Noaman has shown considerable forgiveness. But for Mr Noaman's intervention, you would have gone immediately to prison."

Sam Faulks, in mitigation, told the court that family man Weeks was not a racist, and was well-respected in the community for coaching junior footballers.

Mr Faulks said Weeks gave up his job as a warehouseman at the cash-and-carry after the incident, which took place at Darlington fire station, because he was so ashamed.

He said: "This was not so much an offence which arises from race or race hatred. It is a stupid and petty grievance concerning Mr Weeks' job description."

The Northern Echo