A 27-year-old Eritrean migrant housed in a four-star taxpayer-funded hotel near Heathrow Airport has escaped jail after admitting punching and spitting at a police officer who woke him on a bus.
Prosecutor Ravinder Chodha told the court: “After a short while the defendant turned towards PC Awais Alyas and spat at him, also hitting him on his hand and left leg.”
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Selmone admitted assault by beating of an emergency worker.
Appearing with the help of an Amharic interpreter, he spoke only to confirm his details.
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Magistrate Rangeet Kaur imposed a one-year community order with 60 hours of unpaid work. No compensation was ordered to the officer because Selmone has “limited means”.
In a victim personal statement, PC Alyas said: “I was shocked. I instinctively grabbed his head and pushed it down. I felt violated. Spitting in particular is a foul and disgusting offence.”
Do you think community orders and no compensation are sufficient punishment when migrants housed at public expense assault police officers? Share your thoughts in the comments.
