A 61-year-old man allegedly attacked two teenage boys and their father in north Belfast because of the colour of their skin, the High Court heard today.
Prosecutors said David Fulton headbutted one of the brothers before telling another victim: “Get back on your boat.”
Fulton, of Mackey Street in the city, was refused bail on charges of three racially motivated common assaults on members of the family who moved to Northern Ireland from Africa.
The court heard the brothers, aged 13 and 17, were targeted as they walked along Upper Canning Street on August 14.
Fulton got out of a car and challenged them, grabbed the younger boy by the scruff of the neck and asked him: “What the f*** did you say?”
When the older brother stepped in to try to offer protection, Fulton threw a punch and headbutted him, cutting his lip.
Crown lawyer Stephanie Boyd set out how the defendant then turned on the teenagers’ father after he came out of their home to confront him.
“He grabbed the father by the neck, saying ‘I’ll get you back in the boat in two minutes, get back in your boat’,” the prosecutor submitted.
As police arrived at the scene a crowd had gathered and were shouting at the injured party.
“Police believe this was racially motivated by the colour of the boys’ skin,” Ms Boyd added.
Eoin MacDonald, defending, described it as “a very unsavoury set of circumstances”.
The barrister confirmed Fulton has admitted at least two of the assaults.
“He is utterly mortified and ashamed by his actions,” Mr MacDonald said.
Fulton sought release from custody to live at a caravan site in Co Down, under proposed conditions which would keep him out of north Belfast.
But Mr Justice Fowler denied bail, however, after citing the circumstances of the offences.
“This was a 13-year-old boy who was assaulted and indeed his older brother who came to his defence was also assaulted. The children’s father was also abused,” the judge observed.
“The comments made… were clearly highly inflammatory, offensive words.”