Sudbury man avoids jail despite assaults and racial abuse

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 15 Oct, 09:32 · Archive

A Sudbury man who racially abused a shop worker and assaulted two police officers has avoided immediate imprisonment despite crossing the custody threshold.

Luis Infante, 45, of Gregory Street, Sudbury, appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing after admitting racially aggravated harassment and two assaults on emergency workers. A judge said his offences 'crossed the custody threshold', yet he was spared immediate imprisonment.

Infante racially abused a shop staff member on March 18, 2023, at the Guineas Shopping Centre in Newmarket. He had been drinking and became aggressive towards staff at a phone repair shop, refusing to leave when asked. He directed racist abuse at the member of staff, telling her to 'speak f***ing English' and calling her a 'foreign pr**k'. The victim said she was 'upset' and 'hurt' by the remarks and had become self-conscious about her accent. The court heard she had even considered returning to her home country despite having lived in the UK since 2015.

The two assaults on police officers occurred after officers were called to a domestic incident at Infante's partner's home. As officers attempted to arrest him, Infante charged at one officer, who deployed PAVA spray. After being pushed to the ground, Infante got up and punched the officer before throwing further punches and a kick. A second officer was pushed into a door frame, causing soreness and redness to his arm. That officer activated his emergency alarm because he feared for his safety, telling the court he had never needed to do so in twenty years of policing.

How it is being reported

• Man who racially abused shop worker and assaulted police officers spared jailA Sudbury man who racially abused a shop worker and assaulted two police officers has avoided an immediate prison sentence despite a judge saying the offences "crossed the custody threshold".Ipswich Star · 15 Oct, 09:00
• Man who racially abused shop worker and assaulted police officers spared jailA Sudbury man who racially abused a shop worker and assaulted two police officers has avoided an immediate prison sentence despite a judge saying the offences "crossed the custody threshold".East Anglian Daily Times · 15 Oct, 09:00

In this story: Luis Infante · Sudbury · Ipswich Crown Court · Guineas Shopping Centre · Newmarket · HMP Norwich

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