Man attacked after racist jibe

AN Oldham woman beat up a man and caused an “ugly wound” after he racially abused her during a row.

Keisha Hughes (23) was called a “n.....’’ when she took over a phone conversation between Noel Wrigley and his ex-girlfriend, with whom she was friendly.

A few days later, in September last year, when Hughes spotted Mr Wrigley she punched and kneed him in the groin.

Mr Wrigley was treated at hospital for a cut to his lip and given a tetanus jab and antibiotics.

At Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, Hughes, of Harper Street, pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm.

Ms Andrea Lock, prosecuting, said: “It is fair to say there is a background between the defendant and Noel Wrigley.

“The defendant is friendly with his former partner. It would appear that contact between Mr Wrigley and his ex-partner, who has a child by him, doesn’t run smoothly and that leads to verbal altercations.

“During a telephone conversation between the complainant and his ex-partner a few days before this incident, Hughes had taken over the conversation and spoken to Mr Wrigley.

“Both she and Mr Wrigley exchanged some fairly vigorous insults. He accepts that during the course of that he racially abused her, to which she took great exception.

“A few days later he was returning his child to its mother’s address and the defendant was there and she confronted him about his comments.

“She then made an attempt to knee him in the groin, grabbed him by the head and punched him.

“He had a wound described as a deep laceration to his upper lip. It was dirty and slightly gaping.

“He sought medical treatment the following day and was given antibiotics and a tetanus jab. The defendant was interviewed and she fully accepted that she was responsible.

“She put her actions down to the complainants racist comments a few days earlier. She said she did feel bad but he deserved the punch but not the injuries.”

Mr Phillip Parry, defending, said: “She doesn’t shy away from her responsibilities. Her long-term goal is to go back to college.

“They are back to being friends now, she saw him last night in fact.”

Sentencing Hughes to 80 hours’ of unpaid work, Judge Leslie Hull said:

“I accept that he insulted you. But your response was to first of all knee him in the groin and then hit him in the mouth. You caused him an ugly wound.

“The implication is that particularly in drink you allow your temper to get the better of you.”

Hughes was also told she would be under supervision for 12 months and must attend attend a substance-related offending group.