Willington riot racist attack victim wants to leave UK

A pizza shop owner said he wants to leave the UK after suffering racist abuse while his business was attacked, a court heard.

The shop was targeted after a group of up to 30 youths gathered in Willington, Durham in August in the wake of widespread disorder, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Leah Lee, 19, threw rocks in the direction of the shop before smashing a window with a brick and shouting a racial slur.

Lee admitted racially aggravated criminal damage, while a not guilty plea to violent disorder was accepted by the prosecution.

The victim told the court in a statement: "I feel as though I have been bullied racially and do not wish to live in this country."

Omar Ahmad, prosecuting, said Lee later threw a wheelie bin in the direction of the police and had covered her face with a mask.

Judge Jonathan Carroll said her conduct was "part and parcel of what is generally referred to as the summer riots" which was "politically motivated violence".

Disorder broke out across the country following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport.

"We live in a multi-racial society and we have to learn to live side by side," the judge said.

"Throwing bricks through shop windows and hurling insults because of the colour of his skin will attract a custodial sentence."

In mitigation, it was argued Lee, of Hall Lane Estate, Crook, had already served about three months in custody since her arrest.

The judge agreed she should be released immediately and imposed a sentence of nine weeks in prison, suspended for two years.