RACIST WHO ATTACKED CARER AND PUSHED MUM AVOIDS CUSTODIAL SENTENCE

A racist who hit his carer round the head with a mug – and pushed his mum whilst walking around a mainland shopping centre – has been handed an 18-month community order. Richard Herbert, 25, of High Street, Shanklin, appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday (14th June) having previously admitted racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm, threatening a person with an offensive weapon in a private place and assault by beating. Prosecuting, Tim Devlin said that on 3rd November 2023, whilst at a shopping centre in Basingstoke with his mum and his carer, Herbert pushed his mother to the floor after a conversation between the trio turned sour. Herbert’s mother – who said in her victim personal statement that she was concerned for him due to his personal circumstances – suffered just a bruise on the arm. In a separate incident, on 6th February, one of Herbert’s carers attended his home address – a regular occurrence due to the extensive social care support available to the 25-year-old. After the carer had completed a handover to a colleague, Herbert – who was playing his video game – became agitated and aggressive towards the caregiver launching a tirade of verbal abuse at the male calling him a pr*ck, bast*rd, and repeating an extremely derogatory and racist slur numerous times. Herbert then grabbed a mug and held it in his hand telling the carer to leave otherwise he’d hit them round the head, before doing so anyways causing blood to stream down the worker’s face. In an attempt to get control of the situation, the carer tried to take the mug from Herbert but the 25-year-old refused and attempted to grab the man by his genitals, repeating the racial abuse in the process. The Shanklin man then picked up a steak knife and threatened to stab the carer. The Police were called and eventually, the incident was brought to a conclusion. The carer was treated for a slash to his face at St Mary’s Hospital. Herbert – who has complex needs and learning difficulties – has a total of 22 convictions for 51 offences. A total of 19 of those are against a person. Defending Herbert, his solicitor said that the probation service is unsure as to what they can offer someone of his complexities and that a supportive environment in the community may be best for Herbert given his circumstances. He added that Herbert had admitted he wanted to get better and eventually move off the Island. Summarising, Judge James Newton-Price KC said that had Herbert been a normal functioning adult without such complex personal issues he would’ve received a custodial sentence. Instead, Herbert was handed an 18-month community order with 10 rehabilitation days attached.