Rasheed Jama, 20, walked into a busy Cardiff pub armed with a hammer and struck a random stranger on the head, leaving blood pouring from the victim's wound. The attack was part of a three-month crime spree during which Jama also bit police officers, made racist remarks, and threatened to rape them.
Details of the offences
Cardiff Crown Court heard that on June 20 last year, police responded to reports of a man trying to climb over fences, foaming at the mouth. Jama was taken to the University Hospital of Wales for treatment but became abusive and irate in the A&E department. He was removed and placed in a police van, where he racially abused officers, bit them, spat at them, and made harrowing threats. He shouted 'heil Hitler', 'kill the Jews', and 'I will rape someone tonight'. PC Robinson sustained bruising, while PC Rowland was bitten on the hand and forearm and spat at repeatedly.
Further incidents
On August 28, Jama was asked to leave Foot Locker in St David's Shopping Centre by a security guard. He threatened to return and stab staff members in the neck. When police arrived, he was abusive and threatened to rape a female officer, also using racial slurs. In a victim impact statement, an officer described his behaviour as 'disgusting and vulgar' and among the worst encountered.
On September 11, while on police bail, Jama entered Penarth Labour Club with a hammer and immediately struck Ryan Cotterill, a stranger, on the head in an unprovoked attack. Blood was seen pouring from the victim's head. When arrested, Jama, who has five previous convictions, responded: 'Yeah man, banana.'
Sentencing
Jama, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated assault, assaulting an emergency worker, assault, and possession of an offensive weapon. His barrister, Will Bebb, said Jama was 19 at the time, immature, impulsive, and intoxicated, with significant mental health issues. Judge Christopher Felstead noted Jama's young age and entrenched behaviour, stating: 'You must change course or you will be spending much of your time in prison.' He sentenced Jama to 18 months in prison, ordered forfeiture of the hammer, and a £187 victim surcharge.
Paul Jenkins of the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'Hate crimes, of any form, are abhorrent and have no place in our society. The CPS will not hesitate to prosecute these offences.'
