CPS strengthens its Hate Crime charging decisions
The CPS strengthens its approach to hate crime charging decisions ...
Read more...An 18-year-old from Leamington Spa has been convicted of a racially aggravated public order offence after shouting racist abuse and making racist gestures in Rugby town centre on 7 April 2026. The defendant was one of three males walking through the town centre when he directed racist abuse and gestures at members of the public. CCTV footage captured visibly distressed victims reacting to his behaviour. When subsequently interviewed by police, he admitted the racist abuse and gestures. He appeared at Leamington Spa Magistrates' Court on 12 June 2026, where he pleaded guilty. He was ordered to pay a fine of £806, uplifted from £403 to reflect the hate crime element, and compensation of £75 to each of the two victims.
News from Crown Prosecution Service West Midlands