A man who accused Asians of being terrorists and threatened to chop off a pub landlord’s leg with an axe has been given a suspended prison sentence.
Paul Darragh, 46, walked free from Oxford Crown Court on Friday, after admitting three charges over the incident at the Fox and Hounds, in Watlington, on March 21.
Jennifer Edwards, prosecuting, said Darragh, from Belfast, shouted abuse at Ranveer Singh Grewal, his brother Ranjodh and friend Barry Godfrey and threatened to kill Muslims.
Judge Julian Hall described his language as “criminally offensive”.
Landlord Jaxon Keedwell told Darragh to leave but he returned carrying an axe.
Mrs Edwards said: “He was holding it up and said ‘I don’t want to, but if you don’t leave me alone, I’ll come in and take your leg off’.”
At an earlier hearing Darragh pleaded guilty to one charge of religiously aggravated battery, one of religiously aggravated common assault, and one of common assault.
Judge Hall gave him a 12-month jail sentence, suspended for 18 months.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article