Man sentenced following racially aggravated assault

A man who carried out a racially aggravated assault in South Bank will be spending the rest of the festive period in prison.

Luke Smith, 20, punched the victim in the face causing a cut to his lip during the racially aggravated assault in May this year.

Smith, of Middlesbrough Road, South Bank, appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 21^st December after being charged with racially aggravated assault.

At court he was sentenced to 12 weeks imprisonment and was ordered to pay £389 in costs including £150 compensation to the victim.

Inspector Zoë Kelsey from Redcar and Cleveland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said: “Cleveland Police will not tolerate hate crimes under any circumstances. Our officers will thoroughly investigate all reports made to us and will ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

“Everyone has the right to live without the fear of abuse. If you have been a victim of hate crime, we would encourage you to report it to us on 101. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.”