Hull city centre at risk of becoming 'ghetto'

By [enewtonsyms]

Hull city centre is at risk of becoming a "young person's ghetto" unless something is done to curb drunken violence, a judge has warned.

Judge Jeremy Richardson QC said violence on the streets "frightens and alarms ordinary and decent people".

He made the comments as he sentenced two men who hurled racist abuse during separate drunken attacks in Hull.

Dale Ellerby, 20, and James Rollinson, 18, had both been drinking when they became involved in fights in the city centre.

Hull Crown Court heard Rollinson, an apprentice, kicked the door of a pizza shop in the early hours of July 24 last year before punching and kicking the owner.

He made a racist comment towards the owner before punching another employee, the court was told.

Ellerby, an apprentice engineer, pushed a woman against a window after becoming involved in an argument with her in the city centre on October 17 last year.

He also called her a racist name, the court was told.

Both admitted racially aggravated assaults.

Judge Richardson QC said: "Regrettably there is much low level violence in the centres of major conurbations frequently, but not exclusively, involving young men fuelled by alcohol during or after a night out.

"The city of Hull is no exception. This form of conduct frightens and alarms ordinary and decent people.

"It would be a sad day indeed if the city centre simply became a young persons' ghetto each evening because of other citizens being worried about the level of violence."

Both Ellerby and Rollinson had no previous convictions.

Rollinson was ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work and was handed a four-month curfew between 8pm and 7am.

Ellerby must complete 120 hours of unpaid work and was handed a two-month curfew between 8pm and 5.30am.