TRUE racism is a deeply unpleasant thing to witness let alone experience.

That's why it's so infuriating to see the race card played in such a cynical way, used by a thug in a pathetic attempt to worm his way out of trouble. Because that is what Mahboob Hussain tried to do after his shocking, unprovoked attack against a man in Worcester. Fortunately, the Crown Prosecution Service would not stand for this false attempt to malign the victim after what was already a horrible ordeal for him.

As if the poor man had not been through enough already. Hussain should feel ashamed, not only for the vicious assault and way he laughed at his victim as he lay unconscious, but for shoehorning race into the equation, an insult to all those who have suffered real racism. Actual racism should be robustly dealt with, especially when it incites hatred and is not confused with legitimate criticism of a religious or political ideology. Such criticism should, of course, be permitted in the interests of freedom of speech which we must fight to retain.