A British National Party organiser has narrowly escaped jail for racially abusing an Asian woman in a supermarket.
Peter King told stunned Sajida Islam “go back to your own country” when he saw her in the aisles of Hartlepool’s Tesco Extra store, in Burn Road. He followed with a tirade of racist abuse.
The incident happened on October 14 last year. King, who the BNP’s own website describes as regional organiser, was arrested again on Christmas Eve. Police were called following a row with his neighbour, 20-year-old student Nicholas Thompson, who he confronted with an ornamental mace for revving his mini-moto bike.
King, 38, was at risk of going to jail after he admitted racially aggravated harassment and possessing an offensive weapon. However, he walked out of court after he was given a suspended prison term.