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, 54, painted the front door of the home the victim 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 as he and his 10-year-old son left home, the youngster became tearful and he said the attack had left him fearful and angry.

Dowd, who lived nearby, 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.

He 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."

Prosecutor Ann Deakin said a possible bail address in south Manchester for Dowd was inappropriate because of the "ethnic diversity" of the area, adding: "There's a clear risk to the defendant's safety. Greater Manchester Police has received complaints from America - that's how far it's gone viral about the victims being abused in this way."

The judge said the maximum sentencing powers of a magistrates' court, of six months in jail, were insufficient to deal with the case.

GMP came under fire for failing to investigate the graffiti for more than a week after it was reported by the victim.

The man’s son found the message reading “no blacks, no blacks” on the front door of their home on 8 February, five days after they moved in.

The same graffiti was also daubed on an internal communal door and the entrance to the block of flats where he lives.

In a victim impact statement, the father said: “This incident has left me feeling very angry. The idea someone has the audacity to attack my front door of my home address and target me in this way has affected me in a lasting way. I’m now constantly on edge and worried about every little noise outside and it has affected my ability to sleep.”

The victim, who cannot be named for legal reasons, reported the graffiti to police on the day it happened but officers only launched a hate crime investigation eight days later.

GMP’s chief constable apologised and admitted the force’s response was “frankly just not good enough”.

Superintendent Howard Millington, of the force’s Salford division, said this week: “I want to emphasise that we are acutely aware of the strength of public feeling surrounding this incident. Both CID and neighbourhood officers are looking into this crime and we are working closely with our partners to support the victim, as is in the case of all hate crimes.”

“Let me reassure people that where incidents of this nature take place, we will always pursue a prosecution.”