A Salford man who daubed “No Blacks” on the home of a family from Africa has
been remanded in custody “for his own protection” before he is sentenced
next month.
Vaughan Dowd, 54, painted the front door of the home of Jackson Yamba,
38, just five days after he moved from a neighbouring block to the same
flats where the defendant lived in Irlams o’ th’ Height.
After seeing the graffiti as he and his 10-year-old son David, left
home, the youngster became tearful and Mr Yamba said the attack had left
him fearful and angry.
Dowd, who lived close to the Yambas in Irlam Square, covered his face
during the attack but was caught by the CCTV installed in the flats and
by police checking the record of key-fob entries to the housing
association apartment block, Manchester Magistrates’ Court heard.
He pleaded guilty to a single count of racially aggravated criminal
damage on February 8 and was remanded into custody for sentence on March
21.
District Judge Mark Hadfield told him: “I’m satisfied a remand in
custody is necessary for your own protection.”
Prosecutor Ann Deakin said a possible bail address in south Manchester
for Dowd was inappropriate because of the “ethnic diversity” of the
area, adding: “There’s a clear risk to the defendant’s safety.
“Greater Manchester Police has received complaints from America – that’s
how far it’s gone viral about the victims being abused in this way.”
The judge said the maximum sentencing powers of a magistrates’ court, of
six months in jail, were insufficient to deal with the case.
The case only came to light after Mr Yamba, 38, a solicitor who came to
the UK from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2006, tweeted a photo of
his front door and complained that no police officers had been to see
him after he reported the attack.
It led to outrage online, and an apology and prompt response to the
tweet from Greater Manchester Chief Constable Ian Hopkins.
Ms Deakin, prosecuting, told the court the victim and his son were
leaving for work and school on the morning of February 8 when they
discovered the graffiti.
The youngster said: “Daddy, something is written on the door.”
Ms Deakin continued: “Mr Yamba looked and saw painted on his brown
wooden front door was ‘No Blacks’ twice. This was underlined.
“Mr Yamba is described as being shocked and distressed and his son was
becoming upset.”
The same graffiti was also daubed in the same white paint on an internal
communal door and the entry door to the block of flats.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Yamba said: “This incident has left me
feeling very angry.
“The idea someone has the audacity to attack my front door of my home
address and target me in this way has affected me in a lasting way.
“I’m now constantly on edge and worried about every little noise outside
and it has affected my ability to sleep.
“My son is very anxious about being alone and I can see this has worried
him greatly.”
The court heard that Dowd had “exercised his right to silence” in police
interview, but the judge asked his solicitor for an explanation for his
behaviour.
Lorna Wincote, defending, said: “The facts are fully accepted. There’s
no issues with regard to any drugs or alcohol, there’s some suggestion
of some underlying mental health issue, because there is no other
underlying explanation.”
The court then heard from an “intervention team” nurse based at the
court, who said that, having spoken to the defendant in the cells, there
was evidence of issues of depression and anxiety.
She also said Dowd “acknowledged a level of compulsivity” and regarded
what he had done as a “completely stupid act” without any explanation.
Press Association
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