Racial abuse hurled at neighbours

A MAN racially abused his neighbours while putting bin bags out and then later threatened to burn down their house.

Harry Ferguson first hurled abuse at his British-bangladeshi neighbours in Bond Street in Sandfields, Swansea, on November 10 last year when both had been putting out refuse bags for kerbside collection.

Swansea Crown Court was told Mr Hassan, who with his family had lived at the property for 20 years, then saw his father pull up in his car and went to help him with his shopping while Ferguson stood in his doorway staring at him.

Prosecutor Hannah Gordon told the court: “It looked as if [Ferguson] had the intention of causing an argument. Mr Hassan’s father tried to make light of the situation and told the defendant his son was only trying to help him and to go back into his own house.”

Ferguson swore at them and was also heard to threaten to burn down their house.

Police were called and in response to a caution Ferguson was said to have commented: “They are going to get some s*** now.”

He was released on police bail but on Christmas Eve when returning home by taxi Mr Hassan was again concerned he was going to be abused so recorded Ferguson when he called him a “black b ***** d”.

Hannah George said: “Mr Hassan found the language extremely offensive and was disappointed he has to put up with that.

“He feels like every time he leaves his house he is likely to experience racial abuse from the defendant. He says he should not have to feel like this – let alone in his own home. He feels the defendant hates him purely because of the colour of his skin and is anxious every time he leaves the house and does not know what abuse he is going to get. It affects the whole family and they have had to install CCTV.”

The court was told Ferguson, 55, who had lived at his address for four years, has 34 convictions for 66 offences.

Mitigating, Stephen Thomas said: “There seems to be some background between the defendant and complainant in this matter but notwithstanding that background, perceived or not, there is no excuse for this kind of abuse.

“The best point of mitigation is he had remained out of trouble for some 12 years or so. As a young man he was a prolific offender and his circumstances changed in 2008 when he moved to Swansea and changed his associates.”

He added Ferguson had not been in employment since he was aged 35 after suffering an industrial accident which had left him with epilepsy and other health issues.

Ferguson admitted two counts of racially-aggravated disorder with the intention to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.

Sentencing, Judge Huw Rees said: “You are 55 years old and it beggars belief someone would behave in this way.”

Ferguson was sentenced to 13 weeks imprisonment suspended for 12 months.