Man admits racial assault after accusing Orthodox Jew of ‘killing babies’

A man has admitted racially abusing an Orthodox Jewish man after he was filmed abusing him and accusing him of “killing babies”.

Shafiq Rahman, 48, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault, fear or provocation of violence by words and criminal damage at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

The victim was working on Elliman Avenue in Slough, Berkshire, on April 20 when Rahman passed him on a bicycle and began shouting abuse at him.

Video of the attack was played in court, in which Rahman called the victim a “dirty Jew”, accused her of “killing babies in Palestine” and threatened to “break her jaw”.

District Judge Devinder Sanhu described the attack as a “pure hate crime”.

He added: “I am horrified and appalled by what I see in this footage – a completely unprovoked attack on a man who was simply doing his job.”

Wearing a gray prison sweatshirt, Rahman stood in the dock and spoke to confirm his name, address, date of birth and admit the charges.

Prosecutor Anushka A said: “The victim was in the area on business with professional commitments, the defendant was on his bike and shouted, ‘Jew, what are you doing here, Jew?'”

He added that Rahman called the victim a “dirty Jew” and accused him of “killing babies in Palestine.”

Rahman was released on bail pending sentencing on July 10.