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UK man on trial for racist attack on Indian family

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Press Trust of India London
A 29-year-old man is on trial at a court in Northern Ireland for allegedly launching a racist attack on his Indian neighbour, shouting "no Paki is allowed to live here".

William Strain is accused of targeting the Indian man with a hammer while he was at home with his wife and baby.

According to the prosecution he had targeted the family who lived directly below, shouting: "'Get out of here now, I'm going to kill you', and 'No Paki is allowed to live here, I own this place'."

Moments later Strain ran upstairs and returned with a hammer he used to pound the victim's front door.
 

The Indian whose name has not been disclosed had to press both hands against the door as the attack continued amid racial slurs and threats, it was alleged in the Belfast High Court.

The blows were said to have inflicted holes and knocked metal fixtures off.

Strain then allegedly went back into his own flat, shouting and jumping on the floor, according to 'Belfast Live'.

Strain was arrested but he denied attacking the door or making any threats.

Hefaces charges of wounding with intent, common assault, resisting police, threats to kill, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon with intent over the two incidents.

The incident in July came a month afterheattacked an employee of Bangor's Aurora Leisure Centrewith a broken bottle.

Defence counsel Richard McConkey based his client's bail application on his client wanting out for Christmas to see his two children.

He argued that Strain could stay with his mother in Newtownards and be banned from entering Bangor.

Justice Burgess has adjourned the case on Monday, saying he wanted time to consider submissions.

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First Published: Nov 17 2015 | 5:02 PM IST

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