Man racially abused his girlfriend's father and kicked his door

Karl Anthony Dawes, 34, tried to kick down Peter Machon’s door at his home on Lowes Hill, at Ripley, and also sent abusive texts to Mr Machon referring to Polish heritage, according to a Chesterfield magistrates’ court hearing on March 22.

Prosecuting solicitor Sarah Haslam said: “Mr Machon was woken by a loud banging as if someone was trying to knock his door down.

“He didn’t see the damage being caused but it was clear it was the defendant who had kicked the door and caused the damage.”

The police also received information, according to Ms Haslam, that Dawes had sent abusive text messages over several days since Mr Machon’s daughter had returned home to her parents.

Ms Haslam said that Mr Machon has been left upset by the racist comments because he had suffered similar insults from others in the past after he had emigrated.

Dawes, of Hurstwood Road, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment from between August 27 and September 1, 2016, and also admitted causing damage to the door on August 31, 2016.

Defence solicitor Denny Lau said there are mental health issues relating to the defendant involving a psychiatric report for the magistrates to consider before sentencing.

Mr Lau added that the psychiatric report would not exclude Dawes from also being made subject to a probation service report.

Magistrates opted to adjourn the case until March 29 to consider a probation service report before sentencing.