Thug who racially abused and assaulted schoolchildren in Margate is jailed

A man who went on a rampage racially threatening and assaulting almost a dozen young people in Margate has been jailed for two years.

Kevin Friend, 30, previously of Ingoldsby Road in Folkestone, racially abused a security guard at a shop in Margate High Street on Tuesday 20 June. The court heard how he then went on a rampage shouting racial abuse at a number of people, including pupils from Hartsdown Academy, and physically assaulting some of them in All Saints Avenue that same day. He is reported to have slapped a 12-year-old boy with autism and pushed a 15-year-old into a bush.

He then visited the address of a previous partner and assaulted her along with a neighbour before being arrested by Kent Police officers. Once in custody Friend also assaulted a male police officer.

He pleaded guilty to affray, two counts of common assault, racially aggravated public order and assault on an officer and was sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Wednesday 27 September.

One of his victims was 14-year-old  Amira Newton. The teenager filmed Friend for police to use as evidence, having been advised to do so by officers after a previous racial abuse incident.

Her shocked mum Ayaan Bulale took the video straight to police.

Following the verdict Ayaan said: “We are happy with the outcome of the court case and the diligent work by Margate police. I encouraged my daughter to attend court so she could witness how the law deals with racist bullies who show blatant disregard for others especially the most vulnerable – our children.”

Friends’ sentence consisted of 22 months  for affray and two months for breach of a suspended sentence.

There were concurrent sentences for three assault charges. No extra penalty was given for the racially aggravated public order charge.

Investigating officer PC Chris Radley said: “This was a particularly nasty incident. Racism should never be tolerated and the fact that he assaulted so many young people proves what a danger he is to our community.”I would like to thank the witnesses and victims for coming together and assisting us in securing the evidence we needed to see him convicted.”

Reporting racial or hate crimes

To make a report call Kent Police or go into your nearest police station. For advice on supporting victims of hate crime speak to Thanet local Community Liaison Officer Tim Weaver by emailing timothy.weaver@kent.pnn.police.uk

Find more advice here 

If you’d prefer to speak to someone else about what’s happened:

Go online to the True Vision online reporting website

Call Victim Support on 0300 303 0156