Man sentenced for racist attack on security guard

A MAN who was racially abusive to a supermarket security guard and brandished a dog chain at him has been given a suspended prison sentence.

During the incident at Morrisons in Ipswich on May 10, Darren Paul had shouted abuse at the guard and had told his dog to attack him, Ipswich Crown Court heard. Paul had then brandished the dog’s chain at the guard in a threatening way, said Lindsay Cox, prosecuting.

Paul, 46, of Weaver Close, Ipswich, had denied common assault and an offence of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress by demonstrating hostility towards the security guard because of his race but was found guilty after a trial.

Judge Peter Thompson gave him a nine month prison sentence suspended for two years with 12 months supervision by the probation service.

He was also ordered to attend an alcohol treatment requirement and banned from entering Morrisons for 12 months.

Judge Thompson also ordered Paul to make a �250 contribution towards the �2,800 cost of prosecuting him. He described Paul’s behaviour towards the security guard as “deeply unpleasant” and said he needed to change his attitude.

Charles Myatt for Paul said his client accepted he needed help to improve the way he dealt with people.