Man jailed for racist assault – Rochdale

September 10, 2012, 10:30 am

A man who launched a racist attack on two Asian teenage boys has been jailed.

Duke Crosswaite, born 4/1/93 of Gale Street, Rochdale, earlier pleaded guilty to section 18 assault and racially aggravated section 20 assault at Bolton Crown Court.

On Friday, 7 September 2012, Crosswaite was sentenced to five years in a Young Offenders Institution.

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Crosswaite launched into his unprovoked racist attack after coming across the two victims, aged 16 and 17, just after midnight on Sunday 15 May 2011.

The victims were walking home along Albert Royds Street, Rochdale, when they saw a group of two men, including Crosswaite, and a girl, emerge from a side street before ducking away out of view.

As the victims approached Crosswaite and his accomplice emerged from the side street carrying metre-long wooden sticks.

The pair then set about the two victims with the sticks, hitting them over the head and body. The attack was completely unprovoked and without warning.

During the sustained beating the victims covered their heads with their arms. The offenders then ran off and the victims approached a nearby taxi driver who took them to Rochdale Infirmary⿿s A&E department.

They were both transferred to Oldham Royal Hospital where they were both found to have suffered broken arms.

Crosswaite was arrested on 25 June 2011 and was later picked out in an identity parade by one of the victims. During police interviews he admitted holding racist views.

Detective Constable Claire Rawcliffe, of Rochdale CID, said: “Crosswaite and his accomplice set about these two innocent victims with wanton aggression.

“Like all cowards Crosswaite did not give any explanation for his unprovoked attack and gave his unsuspecting victims no chance to defend themselves.

“The fact his actions appear to be motivated by race mean this is an even worse incident. Rochdale has a long history of racial harmony and I know that isolated incidents like this are very much the exception.”