Newcastle Woman Charged with Common Assault Against Hijab-Wearing Student
20 Apr 2020The North Tyneside Magistrates’ Court sentenced a 25-year-old woman from Newcastle to jail on grounds of common assault, after she threw a cup of alcohol to a student wearing the hijab while walking down Newcastle’s Westgate Road. The attacker, Shannon Thorpe, was sentenced in-absentia after she failed to show up to the court, as well for breaching community order by not attending appointments with Probation.
Attacker claimed that it was “raining”
The incident took place in April 2019. The unnamed victim was walking down Westgate Road on early evening when she felt like she had been “splashed with water.” Turning around, she saw Thorpe, who was holding a dripping plastic cup. The victim confronted Thorpe who claimed that it was raining even though it was not. Thorpe subsequently accused the victim of harassing her, before the police was called in.
In court, Thorpe’s lawyer said that Thorpe was an alcoholic, but had made progress towards reducing her alcohol intake. However, the court warned that Thorpe had been failing to attend probation meetings for a previous offence, sentencing her to 20 weeks and £150 compensation for common assault. District Judge, Sarah Griffiths, warned Thorpe to take responsibility for her actions, warning that throwing a cup of alcohol at someone she didn’t know is an unacceptable conduct.
Has rising Islamophobia in the UK generated a sense of impunity?
There is no direct evidence that Thorpe’s attack was racially motivated. During the incident, Thorpe is not recorded to have made remarks about the victim’s race or religion. However, the attack took place on a year of heavy Islamophobic attacks, coming after when the now-Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, wrote his infamous “letter box” article about Muslim women in niqabs in August 2018. In the aftermath of the article, Islamophobic attacks were reported to have risen by a stark 375%, with many such abuse directly referencing Johnson’s comments. Among the attacks was a case in London’s Walthamstow where the attacker tore off a woman’s niqab while shouting at her to ‘go back to your country’,
This trend also reflected into incidents where places of worship were attacked or vandalised, including in 2020 when a building near a London mosque in Brixton was vandalised with Islamophobic graffiti. Thorpe’s blatant attempt to deny any wrongdoing during the incident, followed by an attempt at victim-blaming shows that even absent of any direct Islamophobia, the normalisation of Islamophobic rhetoric can make Muslims more vulnerable to petty crimes, as perpetrators have a higher chance of getting away with their crimes.
Latest Articles
Gaming and Islam
20 Sep 2023
Are Muslims Safe in the UK? (Opinion Piece)
02 Sep 2023
Islamophobia: Roots and Consequences in British Society
Islamophobia is a growing concern in British society, causing discrimination against Muslims and undermining equality and tolerance. It has roots in history, particularly the Indian Mutiny, where the use of Enfield Pattern rifle cartridges greased with pig and beef fat insulted the religious beliefs of Indian soldiers. Islamophobia is promoted through media, politics, and institutional discrimination, but progress is being made through education, awareness, and advocacy for the rights of Muslims.
How ‘My Mosque Story’ aims to help Muslim women around the UK become closer to their faith.
My Mosque Story is on a mission to help Muslim women around the UK who love God to seek a deeper connection with Him. Initially set up to provide women with a digital space to share their experiences of attending and engaging with mosques in the UK, the organisation quickly realised that Muslim women wanted […]
What French Control of the EU Council means for Europe’s Muslims
Once an electoral strategy of the right-wing, Islamophobia has moved firmly into mainstream/centrist policymaking and political thinking in France.
The Uyghurs in China Are Facing Persecution, And We Must Act Now!
As Muslims and as human beings, we should not keep quiet when such shocking acts are taken place against helpless people just because they follow a certain faith. But what can we do to help raise awareness and tackle this issue to try and help in this course?
Landmark report exposes Islamophobia in British Media
To alleviate the problems exposed in this report, there needs to be more effective policies, training and checks in the journalistic practice.
Islamophobia surges in Liverpool following terror attack
Muslim people are reporting incidents of islamophobia and racial hatred after last Sunday’s terrorist incident at Liverpool Women’s Hospital, religious leaders and an MP have revealed. Kim Johnson, Labour MP for Liverpool Riverside, said her team “had been hearing incidents where women wearing the hijab are facing abuse”. These incidents have come promptly after suspected […]
Unisex Hijab Sold by Italian Fashion Brand Sparks Controversy Online
Global fashion brand United Colors of Benetton has launched a new range of the traditional Islamic headwear: a unisex hijab in collaboration with Italian rapper of Tunisian origin, Ghali Amdouni. Global fashion brand United Colors of Benetton has launched a new range of the traditional Islamic headwear: a unisex hijab in collaboration with Italian rapper […]
My Hijab Story: the Struggles, and Ways I Overcame Them
As a child, I remember my mother explaining to me what the hijab is, and why wearing it is a religious obligation upon females. I was always inspired by my mum and the confident women around me who wore the hijab with pride! I was so excited to wear it and started my journey of […]
Batley Grammar School: RE Teacher Speaks Out
A Muslim RE teacher shares his views on the recent Batley Grammar School controversy.
Shawcross Appointment Further Undermines Trust and Confidence in Government
Muslim groups have rightly condemned the appointment of William Shawcross to review the Prevent strategy, due to previous negative remarks about Islam.