A teenager who carried out an "unprovoked and disgusting" racially motivated attack on a man in front of his young family has appeared in court for sentencing.

The 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had pleaded guilty to a charge of racially aggravated actual bodily harm, after attacking a man in The Parade, Epsom, on July 1.

The victim had been in a playground in Rosebery Park, near Epsom town centre, with his wife and family. 

They left the location after feeling intimidated a group of teenagers who were on the play equipment.

The teenager followed the family into town, hurling abuse at them, before attacking the man. 

The victim suffered head and facial injuries during the incident and was taken to hospital

A woman also suffered minor injuries but did not require medical treatment.

At Guildford Magistrates' Court yesterday, August 6, the teenager was handed a nine-month referral order, a 12-month restraining order prohibiting him from contacting the victim directly or indirectly, or entering Roseberry Park, and was ordered to pay his victim £250 in compensation.

A referral order means the teenager will be referred to a youth offender panel, consisting of trained youth workers, and agree with it a ‘contract’ which aims to stop him reoffending. 

The ‘contract’ may include unpaid work in the community.

Detective Inspector Sailesh Limbachia said: "The victim and his family in this case were followed from a playground into town by the defendant who hurled abuse at them along the way before beginning his vicious assault.

"This was an unprovoked and disgusting attack made worse by the fact it took place in front of the victim's young family and in broad daylight.

"Surrey Police takes a zero tolerance approach to racially-motivated crimes which have no place in our society.

"Incidents of this nature not only affect the victims but have a wider impact on the community which we are well aware of."

Anyone with concerns about hate crime and wants to report an incident should call 101 or it can be reported through the independent website True Vision at www.report-it.org.uk/