A man who carried out a racially aggravated assault will be spending Christmas in prison for his actions.

Luke Smith, 20, of Middlesbrough Road, punched the victim in the face in South Bank causing a cut to his lip during the racially aggravated assault in May this year.

Smith appeared at Teesside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (December 21) after being charged with racially aggravated assault.

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He was sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and ordered to pay £389 in costs including £150 compensation to the victim.

Inspector Zoë Kelsey from Redcar and Cleveland’s Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) said: “Cleveland Police will not tolerate hate crimes under any circumstances. Our officers will thoroughly investigate all reports made to us and will ensure perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.

“Everyone has the right to live without the fear of abuse. If you have been a victim of hate crime, we would encourage you to report it to us on 101. Alternatively, information can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by phone on 0800 555 111.”