Carlisle window cleaner jailed for 'abhorrent' racist attack on woman

The fearful victim of the unprovoked attack launched by 46-year-old Paul Metcalfe was left so traumatised that she now avoids using buses and she no longer braids her hair in an attempt to look “less African,” a court heard.

The defendant, of Greystone Road, Carlisle, admitted a racially aggravated common assault by beating and causing criminal damage to a police van.

The details of the offending were set out by prosecutor George Shelley at the city’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court.

The woman was returning from work alone on a bus on the evening of July 22 last year, and as it arrived at Carlisle’s city centre station Metcalfe, who was also a passenger, openly referred to her using a racist term.

“It was a totally unprovoked comment, made as she was getting off the bus at the station,” said Mr Shelley. “At the station, he followed her and called her [the same name] again.”

Despite being afraid because she was on her, the woman challenged Metcalfe, and started to film his behaviour.

Mr Shelley continued; “He charged towards her and said he would smack her and he then went to throw a punch with his right hand towards her face.”

Though the blow connected, it caused no injury.

At this stage, a bus driver intervened, making sure Metcalfe stayed in the area until the police arrived. Fortunately, the woman’s husband and another family member were waiting in a car nearby ready to collect her.

When he was interviewed by the police, Metcalfe gave no comment replies, though he also admitted that he had been drinking that evening.

Mr Shelley then read from the woman’s victim impact statement. “Following this, I became reluctant to go out by myself,” she said. “I am worried that something similar may happen.

“I am particularly worried when I am returning from work. I have stopped using the bus and now travel in a taxi rather than a bus because of this incident.”

The woman also became more anxious and had sought help from her GP, and she now feels more aware of her skin colour when out and about. “I have also taken the braids out of my hair in an attempt to look less African,” she said.

“We have been in the UK since December 2022 and I personally felt like we fitted in with no problem – until this incident.”

Jeff Smith, for Metcalfe, said the defendant felt ashamed. The lawyer said: “He tells me he is not racist. His pre-sentence report reveals that he occasionally has a problem with alcohol.

“Alcohol was behind what he did that day.”

A self-employed man, the defendant worked with his two adult sons running a window cleaning firm and it was Metcalfe who organised the work.” Metcalfe knew also that his case would be reported.

Mr Smith added: “He feels that alcohol was responsible.”

District Judge John Temperley told Metcalfe: “This is, frankly, a quite abhorrent offence. Sadly, it seems to be behaviour in this area that is on the increase.” The District Judge noted that Metcalfe had tried to blame alcohol.

“It’s not alcohol – it’s your fault,” said the judge. He also highlighted attempts by the defendant to minimise his offending.

He jailed Metcalfe for 20 weeks, pointing out that eight weeks of that term was added to reflect the offence's racially aggravated element.  He must pay the victim £250 compensation.

Metcalfe must also pay Cumbria Police £100 compensation the damage that he caused to the police van he was placed in. When released, Metcalfe would need to work with the Probation Service on his alcohol issue, said the judge.

He added that any similar future conduct would see Metcalfe sent to the crown court for an even stiffer sentence.