A Watford man who hurled a string of vile racial insults at his neighbour has been given a suspended sentence today (Thursday, December 10) at St Albans Crown Court.
In May this year, Raymond Flynn was walking his dog in Boundary Way in the town when he came across his neighbour who was outside on the pavement and helping another householder move some soil into his garden.
Today the court was told how after taking photos of the victim Flynn, 51, began to racially abuse him and called him and called him a “slave” and “black b*****d”.
When other neighbours appeared in the street, Flynn moved off, but returned a short while later and again hurled threats and racial insults at the victim.
Once more the defendant left the scene, and on getting into his car, drove around a nearby parking area shouting racist abuse at the victim
Judge Michael Kay QC hearing the case was told police arrived on the scene a short while later and Flynn was arrested.
Flynn of Starling Place, Boundary Way, Watford pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment on Sunday May 24 this year.
The court heard there may have been some previous altercation between Flynn and the victim.
Clare Dowse defending said her client had mental health issues for which he was on medication.
Passing sentence Judge Kay told Flynn: “The victim was doing a good deed. You came out and became very angry and heated about events going on.”
The judge went on: “The words you uttered were vile and disgusting.
“We have come a long way in this country from times when one would hear that more often and thank goodness for that.
“It’s demeaning and racist and intended to cause distress and it’s absolutely unacceptable. It causes hatred and division in society and we all look forward to a time when no such language is uttered.
“It’s taken very seriously by the courts.”
Judge Kay said he would take into account the defendant’s mental health issues, but he told him it didn’t provide him with any excuse for his behaviour that afternoon in May.
He sentenced him to 12 weeks in prison which was then suspended for 18 months.
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