Sozzled Sunderland dad headbutted service station manager after he was refused more drink

George Hopper, 50, of Aberdeen Tower, Farringdon, also racially abused Sergio Santos, telling him to “go back to your own country”, a court heard.

His attack at the Welcome Break services at junction 8 on the M11 at Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, left his victim with facial redness.

Mr Santos wrote to the court to say he would always be scarred by the incident although that all may have been forgiven if Hopper had returned to apologise.

But he did urge leniency, stating Hopper probably had a family and would have to deal with what he had done in drink.

District Judge Kathryn Meek described the site coordinator’s behaviour at 9pm on December 2, 2019, as “appalling”.

She handed him an 18-month community order with 160 hours of unpaid work for his racially abusive crime.

Prosecutor Leanne Duffy told South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court: “The assault is a headbutt.

“The defendant is at the hotel which is on site and he is intoxicated. He was told that he wouldn’t be served any more alcohol.

“Mr Santos sees him go into a WH Smith and try to buy beer, but the shop is told not to sell it. It is then he headbutts Mr Santos.”

Hopper pleaded not guilty to racially or religiously aggravated common assault but was convicted at a trial.

Heather Bolton, defending, said: “Mr Hopper always accepted that he behaved inappropriately. He was mortified by his behaviour.

“At the time, he was having issues with mental health, anxiety and depression. He was taking medication.

“He accepts that he put his head to Mr Santos’ head. He says it was much like footballers do.

“He is genuinely remorseful for what he did, but he doesn’t accept that he used racist words.”

Judge Meek praised Mr Santos for his “magnanimous approach” and told Hopper: “The sentence has got to be more serious because of the racial aggravation.”

Hopper must also pay £650 court costs and a £90 victim surcharge.

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