Jarrow man in court accused of race-fuelled hammer attack at Metro station

A man accused of launching a racially-motivated attack while armed with a hammer and hockey stick at a South Tyneside Metro station has appeared in court.
Robert Taylor is accused of a New Years Eve assault at Simonside Metro Station.Robert Taylor is accused of a New Years Eve assault at Simonside Metro Station.
Robert Taylor is accused of a New Years Eve assault at Simonside Metro Station.

Robert Taylor is alleged to have assaulted Rahman Choudray with both weapons at Simonside Metro Station on New Year’s Eve.

The 45-year-old, of Hadrian Road, Jarrow, stood in the dock at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court charged with one count of racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm against the 20-year-old victim and a further charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the same person.

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He is also accused of possessing an offensive weapon, namely a lump hammer, at the station on the same date.

He faces a fourth charge of possessing a stick arising from the same alleged incident.

No pleas were entered during a brief hearing in which Taylor spoke only to confirm his name, age and address.

Magistrates were told the charges were so serious that the matter could only be dealt with at the crown court.

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Glenda Beck, prosecuting, told the court: “The powers of this court are insufficient.”

“Rahman Choudray, who is 20-years-old, was the victim of an attack.

“He had been to McDonalds before going to Simonside Metro Station.

“He was hit on the head with a hammer and on the knee with a hockey stick. He was left unconscious and had hospital treatment for a fractured jaw.”

The case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court for a hearing on June 7.

Taylor was bailed until then.