Street attack used as reason for EDL demo in Leicester
A vicious street attack by a gang of young women in Leicester provoked the English Defence League's decision to protest in the city.
The EDL, which says it was formed to combat Islamic extremism, issued an online video last week to link its proposed protest on Saturday, February 4, with the case of 22-year-old Rhea Page.
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A still from the video of the assault in Leicester which was shown during the trial last year
The assault on Miss Page and her partner in the city centre in June 2010 was widely reported in several national newspapers and on a number of web sites.
It was claimed that the sentencing judge had decided not to send the women to prison after hearing that they had acted out of character because at least one of them had been drinking.
As Muslims, one of the defence lawyers told the court, they were not accustomed to alcohol.
The Leicester Mercury was the only news organisation in court for the hearing last November.
In sentencing the women, Judge Robert Brown made no reference to their drinking or their religion.
Instead, he decided to suspend the sentences because he said Miss Page's partner had possibly used unreasonable force in protecting her, although he was not charged with any offence.
The judge said: "I can see there's a context in which there's a sense you felt you were the victim of unreasonable force."
Miss Page later criticised the judge and said the women should have gone to prison because of the attack.
Some critics of the authorities' handling of the case have claimed the women should have been charged with racially aggravated assault because one of the Somali women reportedly called Miss Page a "white bitch" once during the attack.
The Crown Prosecution Service, which determines which charges are brought against offenders, has also clarified its handling of the case.
It said: "The CPS reviewed all the evidence in this case, including whether a racially aggravated offence should be brought on the basis that the comment 'white bitch' was reported to have been heard during the incident.
"However, this racist comment could not be attributed to any particular suspect and was not adopted by the group as a whole. There was no realistic prospect of conviction for a racially aggravated offence."
The women – sisters Ambaro Maxamed (24), Ayaan Maxamed (28) and Hibo Maxamed (24), all from East Park Road, Leicester, and their cousin, Ifran Nur (28), of Gotham Street, in the city – all admitted actual bodily harm and got six-month sentences, suspended for 12 months.
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by paulwhestone
Sunday, February 05 2012, 7:28PM
“gwen222 grow up will ya”
by blink2
Saturday, February 04 2012, 10:08AM
“After the Norman invasion in 1066, the law was changed to give harsher sentences to a Saxon for beating a Norman, than for a Norman beating a Saxon.”
by paulwhestone
Thursday, February 02 2012, 9:10PM
“why are they not in a prison where they belong”
by CraigLesta
Saturday, January 28 2012, 2:24PM
“Some interesting distraction tactics going on here. What relevance has this new case got to do with the EDL coming to Leicester?
If the EDL hadn't rampaged around so many cities trying to attack Muslims and Asians then they wouldn't be so easily used as a reason for self-defence. This guy didn't do anything, which is more than can be said for the EDL who attacked Asian people and businesses in Leicester last time they came.”
by Loughb
Friday, January 27 2012, 10:27PM
“by bimple
"Loughb, well done, you've quoted a completely unrelated and irrelevant part of your post, what a clever boy you are! How about sticking to the point I made?!
Of course the judge said that the guy didn't do anything, the give away is in this bit: *Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said* ...........
Stop using diversionary tactics and address my point!!!! Your point at the end of your original post refers PURELY to what was said in mitigation by the defence!!"
WOW!”
by bimple
Friday, January 27 2012, 9:47PM
“Loughb, well done, you've quoted a completely unrelated and irrelevant part of your post, what a clever boy you are! How about sticking to the point I made?!
Of course the judge said that the guy didn't do anything, the give away is in this bit: *Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said* ...........
Stop using diversionary tactics and address my point!!!! Your point at the end of your original post refers PURELY to what was said in mitigation by the defence!!”
by Loughb
Friday, January 27 2012, 9:16PM
“Sigh. Let me make this REALLY simple for you by quoting my post:
Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said: "I accept he wasn't involved in the rioting and he didn't actually do anything.
Got it? Ok, good.”
by Loughb
Friday, January 27 2012, 9:08PM
“No it was the JUDGE that said it not THE DEFENCE SOLICITOR. Who's the idiot.”
by bimple
Friday, January 27 2012, 8:58PM
“"So its all right to arm your self with offensive weapons & go looking for members of the EDL. I wonder what whould have happened if it was the EDL arming them selves with weapons & went looking for Muslims, sounds like a two-tier justice system to me.""
Oh for gods sake, how many idiots must this be explained to; IT WAS THE DEFENCE SOLICITOR WHO SAID THAT, THEY CAN SAY ANYTHING (and often do) TO TRY AND GET THEIR CLIENT OFF. If the Solicitor had said that their cliet was the tooth fairy and should be let off because they were off their head on star dust would you assume that the judge had taken THAT into account when sentencing too??!!! Stop foaming at the mouth and try and understand!!!!”
by Loughb
Friday, January 27 2012, 8:45PM
“Faquirbai, now 18, of Melbourne Road, Highfields, admitted possessing both offensive weapons.
He was fined £250.
Sentencing, Judge Simon Hammond said: "I accept he wasn't involved in the rioting and he didn't actually do anything.
"The Leicester Mercury's publicity in the aftermath is to be highly commended, because it was a huge help to the police."
****al Modhwadia, mitigating, said: "He's never been in any trouble before. He'd attended the mosque that evening and heard rumours the English Defence League were going to be in the area.
"He was milling around, not part of a group, and picked up the two items. The EDL were not present and he discarded both items and walked off."
As well as the fine, Faquirbai will also have to pay a mandatory £15 victim surcharge.
Judge Simon Hammond said: he didn't actually do anything.
So its all right to arm your self with offensive weapons & go looking for members of the EDL. I wonder what whould have happened if it was the EDL arming them selves with weapons & went looking for Muslims, sounds like a two-tier justice system to me.”