A 47-year-old man who threw boiling water at a policeman in a racist incident in Southall which left the officer with horrific injuries to his face has avoided going to jail.
Astrit Mala, of no fixed abode, attacked police officers on 1 July 2022 who were supporting Ealing Council staff evicting him from a property in Allenby Road, Southall.
When Mala opened the door, he threw scalding water at one of the policemen and proceeded to racially abuse him.
At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court on 7 December 2022, Mala pleaded guilty to two counts of assault on an emergency services worker and one count of a racially/religiously aggravated public order offence.
He was sentenced to 26 weeks’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to pay £500 compensation.
Following the announcement of his sentence, members of the public expressed their concern.
On Twitter, one person said: “That’s a disgrace why isn’t the offender in prison”. Another added: “Absolutely, shockingly poor sentencing needs to be appealed. If they’re fit enough to stand trial, they’re fit enough for a proper sentence.”
Ealing Police issued a statement and said they are speaking to the Crown Prosecution Service. “We are in touch with the Crown Prosecution Service to fully understand the factors that led to this sentencing decision and to consider what, if any, further representations may need to be made.”
