Racist Incident at Swindon Stabbing Scene Results in Court Fine
A man who launched a racist tirade at a journalist covering a serious crime scene in Swindon has been sentenced, despite not attending his court hearing. The case underscores the legal consequences of racially aggravated public order offences, even when the perpetrator is absent from proceedings.
The Incident at the Crime Scene
On a summer evening in Seymour Road, Swindon, a major incident was unfolding. Police had established a crime scene following the arrest of two women after a man suffered knife wounds inside a property. Forensic teams were preparing to begin their investigation.
Amid the police activity, 44-year-old Patrick Connors approached the scene. According to court evidence, he was holding a can of lager and began pestering police community support officers (PCSOs) who were guarding the property. His behaviour was initially described as friendly and over-familiar, including repeated attempts to shake hands and hug those present.
When Wiltshire 999s journalist Daniel Jae Webb arrived to report on the incident, Connors turned his attention to him. After an initially positive interaction involving handshakes, Connors’s demeanour changed abruptly. He directed a racist slur at the reporter, saying, “Get those black b******s out.” When questioned, he repeated the hateful phrase, adding, “Go into the police interviews… get those black c***s out.”
Evidence and Legal Proceedings
Critically, the entire exchange—along with Connors’s persistent, unwanted physical contact—was captured on Daniel Jae Webb’s body-worn camera. This provided clear, first-hand video evidence of the offence.
Connors was subsequently arrested and interviewed by police. He was formally charged with a racially-aggravated breach of Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986, a specific offence that escalates penalties for public disorder motivated by racial hostility.
The case was heard at Swindon Magistrates’ Court on 25 February. District Judge Joanna Dickens found the offence proven in absence after Connors failed to attend the hearing for a second time. His non-appearance did not prevent the court from proceeding to sentencing based on the evidence presented.
Sentencing and Financial Penalties
For the racially aggravated public order offence, Patrick Connors, of Western Street, Swindon, was ordered to pay:
- A fine of £150
- Prosecution costs of £85
- A court surcharge of £60
A collection order was also made, facilitating the recovery of these financial penalties. The total financial imposition was £295.
Journalist’s Account and Broader Context
Following the sentencing, Daniel Jae Webb reflected on the experience. “Connors was initially very friendly and appeared excited to meet me. I was happy to speak to him and accept a handshake,” he stated. “But he took things too far, attempting to hug me on multiple occasions. Then out of the blue he made completely unacceptable racist comments about black people.”
Webb noted that despite being repeatedly instructed by officers to move on due to his disruptive behaviour, Connors remained at the scene for a considerable time, continuing to touch both officers and the journalist after being told to stop.
This incident highlights how racially charged language in a public setting, especially one already charged with tension like a major crime scene, constitutes a serious legal matter. The use of a body-worn camera by a journalist provided irrefutable evidence, demonstrating the role of citizen documentation in upholding public order laws.
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Image Credit: www.wiltshire999s.co.uk
