A 42-year-old man has been sentenced by a Brighton court after pleading guilty to a racist attack.
Donal Patrick Connelly, of no fixed address, punched and racially abused a black security guard at the King’s Hotel in Brighton.
At Brighton Magistrates’ Court, Connelly admitted an offence of racially aggravated common assault.
The court was told that the offence occurred on Tuesday 20 May.
Connelly was given a community order and told to complete it by Saturday 22 November.
He was also given a six-month supervision order and ordered to pay £35 compensation to the victim, a £60 victim surcharge and costs of £85.
Sergeant Peter Allan, Sussex Police hate crime sergeant, said: “Connelly’s conviction sends out a clear signal that we will take a robust approach to those who target individuals based on their race, disability, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation.
“Hate crime can be reported by phoning Sussex Police on 101 or 999 in an emergency.
“There is also a short form available on our website, www.sussexpolice.uk, for those wishing to report details online.”
Later this month a Shoreham man is due in court to face a charge of criminal damage causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm and distress at the Unitarian Church in New Road, Brighton.
The charge relates to graffiti on a church wall found by police officers on patrol.
Joe Laurie White, 30, of St Mary’s Road, Shoreham, has been bailed to appear at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 26 June.
