A MILFORD HAVEN man who hurled racist abuse at his black neighbour on repeated occasions has appeared before Haverfordwest magistrates for sentence.

Body-worn footage captured by police officers following Ian Thomas’s arrest showed him asking the question, “Am I being done for beating up a black c***?”

Thomas, of Hamilton Terrace was brought before Haverfordwest magistrates on Tuesday via a video link from Swansea prison after being remanded in custody following a spate of offences committed on May 4 and May 5.

“The victim and the defendant are neighbours who reside in the same block of flats,” said Crown Prosecutor Abigail Jackson.

“Initially, when the victim first moved in, there were no issues between them, but then he started coming home drunk, shouting, swearing, and banging on her door.”

On May 4 the victim heard Thomas, who is employed as an excavation driver. returning home.

“He was clearly intoxicated and appeared to have wet himself,” continued Ms Jackson.

“He started banging on her door and then she heard him shouting ‘Black bastards’.  She knew it was him because she recognised his voice.”

The following day, the victim returned to her home after attending a church service.  Once again Thomas subjected her to racial abuse.

“She had placed a black bin bag outside her flat and the defendant kicked it, causing it to split, with rubbish being strewn all over the hallway,” said Ms Jackson.

A victim impact statement was read out the court 

“This has left me feeling very scared,” said the victim. 

“I really don’t know what he would do if he had the chance, and since this happened, I haven’t left my flat. 

“The racist comments really hurt me and I’m really upset by it.”

Ms Jackson said that when police arrived at Thomas’ flat for questioning, he answered the door holding a knife which he was pointing downwards.

Police body-worn video footage was shown to magistrates during which the officers could be heard shouting at Thomas to lie down. 

When they asked him why he was in possession of a knife he could be heard saying, ‘It’s because I have black c**** living here.’

“When he was taken into custody he told the officers that he had ‘black c****’ as neighbours and asked why he was being arrested for beating up a black c***,” added Abigail Jackson.

“This is a hate crime.”

Ms Jackson informed magistrates that Thomas has 26 previous convictions for violence issues, public order offences and weapon offences.  She stated that Thomas is also alcohol dependent.

At a previous court appearance, Thomas pleaded guilty to causing his victim to fear violence;  using threatening and racially aggravated words and behaviour and racially aggravated words, affray and causing criminal damage to the bin bag.

Thomas was represented in court by Mr Michael Kelleher.

“He’s found it very difficult to come to terms with the fact that these words were said,” he said.  “He doesn’t consider himself to be racist but he can’t deny that those words were said.  “But they were said in alcohol, and he has no recollection of what happened.”

Thomas was sentenced to an 18-month community order during which he must carry out 20 rehabilitation activity requirement days. 

A restraining order was imposed preventing him from approaching or from having any other form of contact with the victim. 

He was fined £120 and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim.  He must also pay a £114 surcharge and £85 costs.