Man who painted 'no blacks' graffiti on family's front door in Salford remanded in custody 'for own protection'

A man who daubed "No Blacks" on the home of a family from Africa has been remanded in custody "for his own protection" before he is sentenced next month.

Vaughan Dowd painted the front door of the home the 38-year-old, just five days after he moved from a neighbouring block to the same flats where the defendant lived in the city of Salford.

After seeing the graffiti the victim said his 10-year-old son became tearful and he had been left fearful and angry.

Dowd, who lived close to the victims in Irlam Square, covered his face during the attack but was caught by the CCTV installed in the flats and by police checking the record of key-fob entries to the housing association apartment block, Manchester Magistrates' Court heard.

The 54-year-old pleaded guilty to a single count of racially aggravated criminal damage on February 8 and was remanded into custody for sentence on 21 March.

District Judge Mark Hadfield told him: "I'm satisfied a remand in custody is necessary for your own protection."

The incident which made headlines after the victim complained on social media about police inaction five days after it appeared.

He had only moved into the flat, along with his son and a friend five days before the vandalism took place on 8 February.

The victim posted a picture of the graffiti on Twitter complaining Greater Manchester Police (GMP) had yet to take action.

“My front door in Salford was painted over a week ago with this abhorrent racist graffiti - after reporting it to @gmpolice they still haven't been here to investigate,” he wrote. “How do I assure my traumatised 10 year old that he is safe in his home?”

He later thanked the community after they rallied round in support.

The Salford Reds rugby league team has offered them special guest tickets to a home game and invited them to meet the team.