A MIDDLE aged man who called an eleven-year-old girl a "black bitch" then grabbed a 14-year-old boy by the throat, has been ordered to compensate his victims.

By Amanda Cresswell

A MIDDLE aged man who called an eleven-year-old girl a "black bitch" then grabbed a 14-year-old boy by the throat, has been ordered to compensate his victims.

Brian Davis, 56, appeared before South East Suffolk Magistrates' Court where he admitted racially aggravated disorderly behaviour towards the girl and assaulting the boy.

Prosecutor Stephen Coleman said the girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was with a group of friends who were arguing in Coltsfoot Road, Ipswich.

The court heard after a while Davis came out of his house, which is on the same road, and started shouted at the children saying: "go back down to your own area."

Mr Coleman said: "The children all shouted no and he shouted towards the girl "you ******* black bitch."

The boy shouted back on her behalf saying: "Don't call her that. I have black people in my family."

Davis and the boy continued arguing until Davis ran from the front of the house and grabbed the youngster around the throat.

Mr Coleman said: "He grabbed the boy by the neck with both hands. The boy was pushed backwards and ended up on the floor."

The 11-year-old ran home screaming and crying. She upset about what she was called from seeing her friend assaulted.

Although the boy was not injured in the attack, he had redness to both sides of his neck and near his Adam's Apple.

Diane Infanti, mitigating, said Mr Davis was not racist and confronted the children after a family member was hit.

She said: "He storms out and spoke to the children and admitted shouting at the girl.

"He was angry with the other boy and because he was angry he grabbed him round the neck. It was only a couple of seconds. It was a fleeting grab and the boy ran off."

Ms Infanti said Davis, who takes daily medication after heart surgery 12 years ago, has mixed race relatives.

She said: "He is not racist at all. It was just an expression."

His work as a minibus driver means he transports and mixes with people of all nationalities.

Sentencing him to a fine bench chairman Mick Hilton told Davis: "This is an adult attacking a youth.

"We accept it was impulsive and was of short duration. We also accept you showed remorse."

He fined Davis £75 assaulting the boy and ordered him to pay the victim £50.

Referring to the comments made to the girl Mr Hilton said the bench took a "dim view."

He said: "This is a young child. She is vulnerable. We accept there was some provocation, but the problem was you picked on this young girl to shout at."

He fined him £100 for the comments made to the girl and ordered him to pay her £50 compensation. Davis was also ordered to pay £55 costs.

N

To report a race-related crime telephone the racial harassment officer on 01473 584998 or Suffolk Police on 01473 613500.