Showing posts with label Solihull. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Solihull. Show all posts

Solihull man admits ripping off Muslim woman's veil in race attack

on Wednesday, June 13, 2012

A racist thug ripped off a Muslim woman's veil in a drug-fuelled rage after the films he wanted to see were not showing at the cinema.

Farhana Chughtai said she was left humiliated when Ian Brazier pulled off her niqab as she walked with her family through Solihull's Touchwood shopping centre.

Brazier, 26, and from Shirley, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault at Solihull Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Habib Ahmed, defending, said Brazier took out his fury on the 26-year-old victim after he became "upset" that the two films he had wanted to watch were not showing.

Mr Ahmed said Brazier had smoked two cannabis joints prior to the attack on March 3 this year – claiming it was the first time he had tried the drug – and that he "did not appreciate the effect it would have on him".

"He directed his anger towards the first person that came across him," he said. "He has never before made threats to anyone wearing a niqab and had not thought about it. He is clearly remorseful and upset about what he had done."

Magistrate chairman Tony Tindale said: "We believe the immediate effect of your actions on the victim and the real humiliation she suffered were key points in the offence. It was carried out in public whilst you were under the influence of drugs which are all aggravating factors."

Mr Tindale ordered for a pre-sentence report to be compiled and for Brazier to reappear at the court for sentencing on July 4.

Birmingham Mail, 13 June 2012



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Police hunt man who ripped off Muslim woman's face veil in Solihull

on Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Detectives are hunting a man who grabbed a Muslim woman by the head and pulled off her face covering in a packed shopping centre.

The thug approached the woman from behind in Touchwood shopping centre, Solihull, on Saturday March 3 at 2pm. As she walked past the Disney Store he ripped the veil from her face and threw it on the floor before walking off.

Cops today released CCTV of the man they believe is responsible in an effort to track the thug down. Chief Inspector Kevin Doyle, from Solihull Police, said:

"Reports of crimes like this are exceptionally rare both in Solihull and the wider West Midlands. We are treating this incident as a hate crime as we believe the woman was deliberately targeted because of her faith, symbolised by her attire. I would urge anyone who recognises the man captured on camera to contact us as a matter of urgency."

Anyone who recognises the man should contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Birmingham Mail, 17 April 2012



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