A man has admitted daubing “No Blacks” on the home of a family from Africa.
Vaughan Dowd, 54, pleaded guilty to a single count of racially aggravated criminal damage at Manchester Magistrates’ Court on Thursday.
Dowd, wearing jeans and a brown jumper and shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and details and to plead guilty to the offence in Salford on February 8 this year.
District Judge Mark Hadfield said the sentencing powers of the magistrates court were insufficient to deal with the case and he ordered Dowd be dealt with at Manchester Crown Court at a later date.
A decision on whether Dowd will be given bail in the meantime will be made later.
Dowd’s address was given as 57 Irlam Square, Salford.
The same graffiti was also daubed on an internal communal door and the entry door to the block of flats where he lives.
Ann Deakin, prosecuting, said inquiries were made by police and through CCTV records and building access records, the police arrested Dowd.
Ms Deakin said the CCTV showed Dowd covering his face to carry out the attack before returning to the flats with his face uncovered.
In a victim impact statement, the householder said: “This incident has left me feeling very angry.
“The idea someone has the audacity to attack my front door of my home address and target me in this way has affected me in a lasting way.
“I’m now constantly on edge and worried about every little noise outside and it has affected my ability to sleep.”
The court heard Dowd had “exercised his right to silence” in police interview, but the judge asked his solicitor for an explanation for his behaviour.
Lorna Wincote, defending, said: “The facts are fully accepted. There’s no issues with regard to any drugs or alcohol, there’s some suggestion of some underlying mental health issue, because there is no other underlying explanation.”
The court then heard from an “intervention team” nurse based at the court who said that having spoken to the defendant in the cells, there was evidence of issues of depression and anxiety.
She also said Dowd “acknowledged a level of compulsivity” and regarded what he had done as a “completely stupid act” without any explanation.
District Judge Hadfield said this type of offence has an effect not only on the victim but the wider community, and he adjourned the case before deciding whether to grant bail ahead of sentencing.
Ms Deakin added: “There’s grave concerns for the defendant, particularly given the outrage by the local community, especially given that it’s come across that it has been organised, premeditated and the victim has been deliberately targeted.”
