A MAN has appeared in court following an alleged unprovoked racist attack on a disabled man as he waited for a bus.
John Keller is accused of attacking the victim, who is of mixed race and has physical and learning disabilities, as he sat waiting for a bus near Asda supermarket, in Bishop Auckland, on the evening of Tuesday, July 7.
The 37-year-old of High Street, Eldon Lane, near Bishop Auckland, pleaded not guilty to a charge of racially aggravated assault by beating when he appeared at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court this morning. (Saturday, July 18) Magistrates declined jurisdiction and the case was adjourned to Durham Crown Court on Friday, July 31.
Mr Keller was remanded in custody until the next hearing.
Police are still appealing to the public for information about the incident which occurred just after 9pm.
In particular they want to speak with two men and the driver of a black Audi A4 that were seen in the area at the time.
Anyone with information is asked to contact PC Sarah Rooney in the priority crime team at Bishop Auckland on 101.
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