Gateshead Couple Jailed for Savage Racist Attack
A married duo from Gateshead have been locked up after brutally assaulting a Kurdish man with a metal pole while shouting racist abuse. Damian Smith, 36, and Dawn Thompson, 48, attacked their neighbour in January, telling him to “go back to your country.”
Victim Forced to Flee After Racist Assault
The victim, granted asylum in the UK since 2019, lived in the same flat block as the couple. After being struck with a metal pole and punched in the face, he was left with injuries and forced to move out. His ordeal didn’t stop there—his phone was stolen during the attack.
Court Hears of Hate-Fuelled Attack
At Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, Smith and Thompson pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding and theft. Prosecutor Jessica Slaughter revealed the victim endured regular racist taunts: “He would be told by the defendants to go back to his country and to stop speaking Kurdish and to speak English instead. He perceived the comments to be hostile and racist.”
The violence erupted after the victim returned home with his shopping. Thompson accused him of staring at her, then called Smith. He launched the attack, hitting the man on the head with a metal pole, causing a cut that needed medical treatment. Smith then punched him repeatedly before fleeing the scene.
Criminal Past and Harsh Sentences
- Smith has 13 previous convictions for 16 offences, including theft, burglary, battery, and possession of drugs and a blade.
- Thompson has a shocking 63 previous convictions for 181 offences, including theft, racially aggravated harassment, and witness intimidation.
Thompson tried to cover her tracks, lying to police that she acted in self-defence. The stolen phone was found hidden under a carpet in Smith’s flat.
Defence lawyers painted a troubled picture: Smith claims he doesn’t see himself as racist and was dealing with personal struggles at the time. Thompson, a grandmother of nine, suffers substance addiction and low self-esteem.
Recorder Mark McKone KC slammed the pair’s “nasty and mean” attack that forced the victim from his home. Smith was jailed for 22 months and Thompson for 14 months.
Addressing Hate Crime with Tough Justice
The court’s verdict sends a clear message: racially motivated violence will be met with serious consequences. This case shines a harsh light on the ongoing problem of hate crimes and their devastating impact on victims and communities.
