UK Police Apologise to Sikh Taxi Driver Whose Turban Was Burnt LONDON, December3:: The UK police today apologised to a Sikh taxi driver for not taking seriously a hate crime which happened last year when a group of drunken women attacked and racially abused him before ripping off his turban and burning it. The attack happened in September 2013 in Bishopsworth when the five drunken women wanted a free cab ride home to Swindon as they did not have enough money. But when refused a ride, they reportedly attacked the Sikh driver and burned his turban. A woman was cautioned by police at the time of the incident, but not charged until months later, after a campaign. The other four women who were involved in the attack were never prosecuted or even cautioned. Avon and Somerset police today admitted they should have charged the offender rather than hand out a police caution. The apology came after an eight-month campaign by the Sikh community in Bristol and later by the charity Sari, the BBC reported. Two arrests were made but the police officer settled on a caution to one of the offenders. Chief Superintend Jon Reilly, Area Commander for Bristol said, The officer made a judgement call that a caution was the appropriate disposal which is a form of sanction, but actually that judgement was wrong and it should have been put before court. The inspector has now met with members of the community to explain what happened. We are only planning to meet with members of SARI this week to further discuss incidents against taxi drivers, Reilly was quoted as saying by Bristol Post. He said the subsequent delay was due to rescinding the caution and waiting for the case to be heard in court.
Posted on: Wed, 03 Dec 2014 09:51:26 +0000
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