Three drunk racists beat up an Italian barman and told him to “go back to your own country” because they wrongly assumed he was Muslim.
The men shouted “Muslim go home” and “f**king Muslim” as they attacked Dario Antonioni in the Surrey Quays area of east London on Sunday 10 June
Inner London crown court heard how Joshua O’Leary, 23, and Alfred Young, 19, set upon the victim because he “looked” Muslim.
Mt Antonioni told the court that he had a beard at the time.
The Evening Standard reported that Judge Benedict Kelleher said as he sentenced the perpetrators to community service and curfew: “Due to your prejudice and ignorance and because he had a small beard you all thought he was a Muslim and shouted abuse at him.
“He put up a spirited defence to your completely unjustified attack late at night while under the influence of alcohol.”
Judge Kelleher added that a third man, who was not caught, is believed to have led the attack.
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Mr Antonioni explained how he was walking very fast to get away and began to run when a glass bottle was thrown at him after as soon as he exited Canada Water tube station.
He said: “The three of them surrounded me. I fell to the ground and I was struck everywhere by all three of them. I said: ‘What are you doing? Why are you doing this?’ and I was speaking to them in Italian, but they increased the shouting.
“They wanted to beat me up. All three of them hit me, kicks and punches, and when I was on the floor there were more kicks and punches.”
Mr Antonioni escaped with grazes on his face and bruises on his knees and elbows.
O’Leary denied attacking the victim but was found guilty by a jury of religiously aggravated assault. He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 180 hours of community services, 20 days rehabilitation and a night curfew for 12 weeks.
Young admitted to the same charge and was handed a 12-month community order with 80 hours community service and a six-week night curfew.
They were both ordered to pay compensation to Mr Antonioni.
