A man who aimed antisemitic abuse at a Jewish man on his way to synagogue avoided criminal proceedings by agreeing to apologise.
The unnamed abuser was driving past the victim as he walked to a shul in Salford, and shouted at him after spotting his kippah.
According to the Manchester Evening News, when the abuser was tracked down by police he immediately admitted using racist language and agreed to say sorry to his victim rather than face charges, as part of a “restorative justice” scheme.
He wrote a letter and followed up with a face-to-face apology witnessed by a rabbi.
In the letter, the man, from Halifax, admitted that his abuse was ‘inappropriate and lacked respect for the Jewish community”.
He said he was ‘disgusted’ at his actions, describing his behaviour as “extremely childish.” He promised that it would not occur again.
The victim, 24, was given the option of refusing the apology if he felt it was insincere.
But he told the MEN: “I found the restorative justice process incredibly rewarding. It allowed me to understand the mindset of the offender – who was of similar age to me – and give him the opportunity to see the consequences of his crime.”
