A man has been jailed for more than three years after launching a violent racist attack outside Bradford College, leaving a Muslim security guard feeling targeted and humiliated and another guard suffering lasting physical and psychological injuries.
David Noutch, 32, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years and one month in prison at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday, October 14, following the attack on Great Horton Road on October 9, 2025.
The court heard that Noutch directed racist abuse at Asian staff and students before threatening people with a pair of garden secateurs and attacking security guards who attempted to intervene.
One of the victims, 37-year-old Mohsin Sagir, described how the experience had affected him as a British-Pakistani Muslim.
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Sagir said he felt personally targeted because of his background and found the hatred directed towards him deeply upsetting and humiliating.
He explained that he had been born and raised in Bradford, was proud of his hometown and had simply been carrying out his responsibilities as a security guard when the attack occurred.
The court heard that Sagir sought medical advice the following day after experiencing trauma and was advised to take time off work.
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He condemned the racial and religious hatred behind the abuse, saying it had no place in society.
Racist threats against Asian staff
Prosecutors told the court that Noutch had approached a group of Asian men outside Bradford College shortly before 9.30am and behaved aggressively.
CCTV footage showed him confronting the group and striking one man in the face before the situation escalated.
When college security guards arrived to intervene, Noutch continued shouting racist insults and directing his aggression towards Asian staff and students. The prosecution said he also attempted to encourage white members of staff to take his side.
At one stage, Noutch threatened to stab people, produced a pair of garden secateurs and ran towards Asian members of staff. Two security guards managed to restrain him despite suffering injuries during the confrontation.
One of them, Mahmood Hassan, sustained a knee injury and subsequently experienced significant anxiety, sleepless nights and flashbacks.
The court heard that Hassan had become increasingly fearful when outside with friends and family, frequently looking over his shoulder and worrying that he might be attacked again.
His injury also prevented him from playing football, while the psychological consequences affected his confidence and ability to carry out his duties at work.
Previous convictions
Noutch pleaded guilty to several offences, including racially aggravated common assault, two counts of racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence, common assault and threatening someone with a bladed article in public.
The court heard that he had 37 previous convictions covering 64 offences, including offences involving weapons, violence and public disorder.
During sentencing, Judge Patrick Palmer described the offences as extremely serious and said Noutch had appeared intent on provoking a major incident. The judge also praised the security guards for their courage in confronting and restraining him.
Noutch’s defence barrister, Jeremy Barton, told the court that his client was remorseful and disgusted by his actions.
He said Noutch had been sleeping rough before the attack, had not taken prescribed medication and had been experiencing personal difficulties.
The defence argued that his racist outburst did not reflect deeply held beliefs and that he wished to apologise to the victims.
Noutch was sentenced to 37 months, with half to be served in custody and the remainder on licence. Having already spent more than a year on remand, he was expected to serve approximately another six months in prison.
Detective Superintendent Al Weekes, of West Yorkshire Police, condemned Noutch’s conduct and praised the college security staff for preventing further injuries.
He said the incident had caused considerable fear in a busy area frequented by students and members of the public.
