Ross Butler attacked a Metro security guard and even bit him during an altercation at Monument Metro station.
A Hebburn man bit a Metro security guard and told him to “go back to your country’ in a racially-aggravated attack. Ross Butler, 28, attacked the guard at a busy city-centre station after spending a day drinking in Newcastle city centre.
After admitting a racially-aggravated assault charge of assault by beating, Butler was sentenced at a hearing at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court on Friday, February 13. The court heard how the incident took place on July 21 last year.
Elements of Butler’s attack were captured on body-worn camera worn by the security guard in question. The court heard how the defendant, of Hedgeley Road, Hebburn, had rushed through the station, failed to buy a ticket and then lashed out at a security official.
Prosecuting, Chide Anieto, told magistrates: “[The victim] was at the Metro station at the Monument, where he works doing security when [Butler] has headed straight down towards the Metro platform without making payment.
“The defendant has started swinging his arms and attempting to hit him. He made an attempt to run towards a platform whereby he was detained.”
He added: “Body-worn footage recorded the racially-aggravated element of the defendant’s offending whereby the defendant was shouting ‘you’re in my f****** country'”. Following this, police officers were called and the defendant was restrained. The defendant has also tried to bite [the victim] while he was being restrained.”
The lawyer also read a witness statement prepared by the security guard. He said: “While I had the male on the ground he had bitten me on my hand hard – though he had not broken the skin. I managed to fight him off in order to get better hold of him.”
For Butler, Rebecca Highton told the court: “Mr Butler pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity. He has very little clear recollection of the incident itself, but on being first told of his actions and then seeing it, he was incredibly remorseful. This is out of character and he was highly intoxicated.”
She said since the incident he had focussed on his mental health and was now aware of how drinking while taking medication could cause him problems.
Source – Chronicle