Northampton town centre vandal jailed for racially aggravated damage
A series of racially and religiously aggravated attacks on businesses across Northampton town centre over two days led to a 12-month prison sentence and a £12,000 compensation order.
A man has been jailed after causing thousands of pounds of damage to shops and takeaways in Northampton town centre.
The offences happened over a 48-hour period in December, when windows were smashed at several businesses across the town. The attacks took place in Abington Street, Mercer’s Row, Wellingborough Road, Bridge Street, the Drapery and St Leonards Road.
Raheem Bourne, 30, of Edith Street in Northampton, was sentenced to 12 months in prison at Northampton Magistrates’ Court on Saturday, December 13. He pleaded guilty to nine counts of racially and religiously aggravated criminal damage.
The businesses targeted included Hollywood Nails, Match Box Café, Ji’s Chicken Shop, Mr Liu Kitchen, UK Nails and Pretty Nails, Shanghai House, Ginza and Oriental Market.
The court also ordered Bourne to pay £12,000 in compensation to the affected businesses.
Northampton Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant Anna Wyburn said: “People who are simply trying to make a living should not have this interrupted by someone who has no regards for another person’s property.
“We are really pleased with the quick and efficient way in which this case has been dealt with and that the courts have held Raheem Bourne accountable for his actions, which impacted the businesses not just financially but also emotionally.”
She added: “We hope this also reassures our communities that we take all reports of hate crime seriously and that we will not accept this type of behaviour in our county.”