Men charged after alleged racist assault

Two men have been charged almost a year after an alleged racially-aggravated assault in Bristol.

Joshua James, of Roy King Gardens in Warmley near Bristol, and Jake Hutchings, of Griffin Road, Clevedon in North Somerset, have both been charged with wounding with intent and racially-aggravated assault.

The charges follow an incident on 22 September on Sarah Street, Lawrence Hill, in which one man was left with "significant injuries" that he is still being treated for and the other with cuts and bruises, police said.

Hutchings, 28, appeared at Bristol Magistrates' Court and was bailed to appear at Bristol Crown Court on 16 September. James, 34, was due to appear before magistrates on Thursday.

James was additionally charged with possessing an offensive weapon in a public place.

The victims were trying to move their car when they were allegedly racially abused and assaulted, Avon and Somerset Police said.

Insp Serena Serjeant said the incident was "particularly distressing" and it had had "a profound impact" on both the victims and the wider community,

The incident was referred to Stand Against Racism and Inequality (SARI), police said, with the organisation continuing to support the victims.

"No-one should ever have to experience such harm, and we continue to offer our full support to them and to work closely with partners and interested parties to ensure they are kept fully informed as this case develops," Serjeant added.

Due to concerns raised about the initial police response, a referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) was made to consider whether they wanted to take the complaint on independently.

Police said the IOPC had determined the complaint could be investigated locally, with Avon and Somerset Police's professional standards pausing the investigation pending the conclusion of criminal proceedings.

The IOPC has been approached for comment.

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