Sponsored by
Blackpool nightclub racist shame for GB star
"I PLAYED rugby with Jason Robinson."
That was the proud boast of a Rugby League international before he racially assaulted a Blackpool club doorman.
Hull FC and Great Britain winger Gareth Raynor verbally abused Sallah Jeng as the doorman tried to usher him out of the Wild Cats bar in Clifton Street, Blackpool.
Raynor threw himself at the man in an attempted rugby tackle and allegedly tried to gouge his eyes out.
Raynor, 30, of Brough, Hull, pleaded guilty to a charge of racially-aggravated common assault at Preston Crown Court.
Virginia Hayton, prosecuting, said Mr Jeng asked the defendant to join him in the club's lobby area after a dancer complained about his drunken behaviour.
She said: "Mr Jeng asked him in a civil manner what his problem was. The defendant said he wasn't causing any problem and he was with his mates, having a good time.
"Mr Jeng describes how the defendant's mood changed suddenly.
"He began to racially abuse him. In Mr Jeng's words the defendant called him 'a black this and black that'."
Raynor was then described as tensing up his body and saying 'I'm not leaving. You can't make me leave'."
Miss Hayton added: "The defendant came very close to Mr Jeng's face in a threatening manner, pointing his finger right in his face and, while doing this, saying he played rugby with Jason Robinson.
"Mr Jeng used the flat of his hands on the defendant's shoulder to try to usher him away and towards the door.
"At that point the defendant threw himself at Mr Jeng in what he describes as an attempt to rugby tackle him.
"But during the course of that struggle, the defendant tried, as Mr Jeng would say, to gouge his eyes out. He got a finger into his left eye which was sore and bloodshot."
The court heard Raynor had two previous convictions. One for drink driving and another, from October 2003, for actual bodily harm assault in a nightclub.
Barrister Anil Murray handed in references including testimonials from Hull FC and the Ruby Football League.
Drink
He added: "He doesn't often drink. Unfortunately on this occasion, he had had too much to drink."
Raynor was given a sentence of six months' prison, suspended for 18 months, with orders to pay 1,000 compensation and 708 prosecution costs.
Judge Edward Slinger told Raynor: "You behaved in a thoroughly unpleasant and objectional way towards women employed at that club, making entirely objectionable remarks.
"When the door staff sought to exclude you, you took objection and used violence.
"You pushed your finger into his eye. You are a trained sportsman who ought to have known better than to behave in that cowardly way."
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Blackpool
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 12 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
