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In The South

Hove man sentenced for assaulting Transgender woman

Besi Besemar May 9, 2017

A man has been sentenced following an incident where a woman was assaulted.

Philip Poole, 41, of Shirley Street, Hove pleaded guilty to common assault and intentional harassment, alarm and distress when he appeared at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, April 26.

Poole, a cleaner admitted verbally abusing a transgender woman, before punching her and pulling her hair following an incident in St. James’s Street, Brighton at 00.30am on Saturday, February 11 this year.

Poole also admitted verbally abusing a police officer who responded to a call from a member of the public.

He was given a 12 month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months and a Rehabilitation Activity Requirement of up to 25 days, as well as having to pay costs of £45 and a Victim Surcharge of £115.

Sgt. Peter Allan
Sgt. Peter Allan

Additionally Poole was fined £40 for the offence against the police officer.

Sussex Police hate crime sergeant, Peter Allan, said: “I am pleased the court have convicted the defendant in this case. No-one should be targeted in such a personal and public way because of who they are.

“This sentence sends out a clear signal that we will take a robust approach to those who target individuals based on their disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation. I hope this case will encourage other victims of hate to report such behaviour to the police.

“What was really pleasing to me in relation to this case, is that four members of the public came to the assistance of the victim, one of whom called the police and waited with the victim until they arrived. You do not have to become physically involved to stand up to hate; offering a supportive word and calling the police is more than most people would do.

“I wrote a letter of thanks to the member of the public, acknowledging her actions in supporting a fellow human being in their time of need.

“Hate crime can be reported to us by calling 101, or 999 in an emergency and online for those who prefer to do so.”

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