In court he was told: ‘It seems ludicrous to be asked to believe that somebody could behave in this way because a bird relieved itself outside these premises’
Darren Wooldridge, pictured outside Hull Crown Court(Image: Hull Live)
A bad-tempered Bridlington holidaymaker hurled a torrent of “vile” racist abuse at staff inside a kebab shop – and later pretended that his “irate” outburst was because a bird had just “messed on him”. But his claim that his angry and aggressive ranting was just a reaction to a bird suddenly “relieving itself” on him outside the shop has been branded “ludicrous” and “nonsensical”.
He repeatedly asked staff why they were in this country and why they did not speak English, Hull Crown Court heard. Darren Wooldridge, 35, admitted an offence of racially aggravated assault on August 13 last year.
Sophie Lamb, prosecuting, said that Wooldridge had travelled from Doncaster to Bridlington for a holiday. He went into a kebab house in South Cliff Road, where he started shouting and being abusive towards the staff.
“He repeatedly asked why they did not speak English and why they were in England,” said Miss Lamb. Wooldridge told the manager: “Go back to your f***ing country.”
The manager said that he could understand what Wooldridge was saying but his colleagues could not speak English. Wooldridge asked: “Why are you living in England?”
He continued to make comments about the staff not speaking English.
Wooldridge briefly left the kebab shop but soon returned and continued to be aggressive towards the staff. He leaned over the counter and continued to shout.
Wooldridge picked up a receipts book from behind the counter and threw it at the manager, causing no injury. He threw a fan that was behind the counter onto the floor.
The manager later said that the staff were left scared about other incidents happening. “I am scared of him coming back and trying to fight with us,” he said. “He was a very angry man.”
The offence had shown a hostility based on the victim’s race. During police interview, Wooldridge made mainly no comment answers to questions.
When asked if he had a problem with non-British people living in this country, he replied: “I don’t know.” He became irate and asked why the police were repeating everything because this was making him angry. He had convictions for 55 previous offences, including two of assault.
Jazmine Lee, mitigating, said that Wooldridge had pleaded guilty and he accepted that his behaviour crossed into criminality. “It was a hot day, a busy day,” said Miss Lee.
“A bird had messed on him and he became irate and acted how he did. He has accepted that what he did was wrong.” His response to the bird messing on him was “nonsensical” but he was left “frustrated” by what happened.
“His last offence of violence was five years ago,” said Miss Lee. “He has not been in trouble since. He has, and he must, accept that he has let himself down on this occasion.” Wooldridge had children, including one aged just seven months old.
Recorder Anthony Kelbrick told Wooldridge: “It seems ludicrous to be asked to believe that somebody could behave in this way because a bird relieved itself outside these premises.” Wooldridge made “vile” comments to staff inside the kebab shop.
“You are no stranger to the courts,” said Recorder Kelbrick. “The fact that you have been here many times before does you no credit at all. You can’t behave in the way in which you behaved on this day.”
Wooldridge, of Windermere Avenue, Intake, Doncaster, was given a six-month suspended prison sentence, 100 hours’ unpaid work and 12 days’ rehabilitation. “If you commit any offence at all within the next 12 months, you are liable to serve this sentence of six months,” said Recorder Kelbrick.
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