Suspended Sentence For Street Thug Who Attacked Strangers

A engineer, who suddenly attacked two strangers in the street – racially abusing one of them – and battled with police until he was sprayed with CS gas received a suspended prison sentence today.

Neil Saunders, 33, of Richmond Road, Worthing had spent the evening with friends in south-west London and was apparently in good spirits when he left them, but soon afterwards was out of control, getting into one violent confrontation after another.

He pleaded guilty at Wimbledon Magistrates Court to the racially aggravated assault of Luis Ramirez in Putney High Street on September 27, last year.

He also pleaded guilty to assaulting black bus driver Joseph Lewis and resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty and was sentenced to twelve weeks imprisonment, suspended for twelve months.

Saunders was also ordered to perform 80 hours community service work and pay £200 compensation to Mr. Lewis; £50 to Mr. Ramirez and £85 costs.

Prosecutor Miss Mary Atere told the court Mr. Ramirez had just got off a bus with his son near Putney Bridge after 10pm on the Saturday evening when confronted by the defendant.

“Mr. Saunders swung his arm and hit Mr. Ramirez in the chest and was shouting and swearing. With his right hand he punched Mr. Ramirez in the face, then swung for a third time, connecting with the victim's face.

“He was heard shouting: 'What are you going to do? This is my country. Go back to your own f***ing country.'

“Bus driver Mr. Lewis was on a break and sitting on a bench outside TK Maxx when Mr. Saunders came to his attention because he seemed to be arguing with people in the road.

“The defendant sat next to Mr. Lewis, who was on his mobile phone, and he punched Mr. Lewis in the face, on the nose and the victim thought it may have been broken.

“Police were called and by now Mr. Saunders was standing in the middle of the road waving his arms around and when approached he resisted arrest and struggled violently with the officers.

“He had to be CS sprayed because he was so volatile, pushing and kicking out.”

When questioned by police Saunders claimed to have no memory of the incident.

His lawyer Miss Sophie Smith told the court there is the possibility a drink he was having with pals may have been spiked. “He left them in a happy mood and cannot remember what happened.”

Saunders claims he suffered a “blackout” - perhaps as a result of his Temazepam prescription for insomnia, which he received during a difficult period when his baby daughter was only twelve-months old and his wife was suffering post-natal stress.

The police officer who questioned him said Saunders was “very remorseful” and “crying and sobbing” throughout the interview.