Man accused of ripping a niqab off a Muslim woman in a shopping centre and shouting racist abuse

A MAN accused of ripping a veil off the face of a Muslim woman in a shopping centre and shouting racist abuse stuck his finger up as he entered court today.

Peter Scotter, 55, is charged with racially aggravated common assault after allegedly tearing off her traditional Muslim niqab.

The woman was waiting for her husband outside a store in Sunderland's The Bridges shopping centre with her nine-year-old son on July 3, when she claims Scotter attacked her.

Scotter, of Beach Street, Roker, Sunderland, is said to have walked purposefully up to her and grabbed her niqab, causing her to almost fall forward.

The victim was left with neck pain, Sunderland Magistrates' Court heard.

Scotter is also accused of shouting racist abuse during the incident at 3.30pm, Laura Lax, prosecuting, said.

Police were called and Pc Deborah Chayton attended.

Scotter is accused of causing the officer alarm, harassment or distress, which was racially or religiously aggravated, after he was alleged to have continued to make abusive remarks.

He did not enter pleas to the two charges.

Chairman of the Bench Robert Dash said the case was serious enough to be heard in  Crown Court.

He said: ";We consider that the allegations are so serious we cannot deal with them.

"We are going to therefore refer you to Newcastle Crown Court."

He will appear there at 10am on August 16.

Scotter swore at photographers when he arrived and left court and shouted at reporters.

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