A pensioner told a warden to go back to “lollipop land” before attacking her for refusing to let a group of girls out of a park.
Paul Joseph, of Huxley Drive, Chadwell Heath, confronted the Redbridge Council worker at the gates of Barley Lane recreation ground in Ilford on March 2.
He pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 2.
The court heard how Joseph smacked the park warden in the face after joining some youngsters arguing with her at the rec gates.
During the attack the 68-year-old told his victim she would be “gone after Brexit” and forced to go back to “lollipop land”.
Brexit refers to the UK leaving the Europen Union which is due to happen in March next year.
Paul Nagel, prosecuting, told the court Joseph’s victim felt that his comments were of a racial nature.
Joseph – a recovering alcoholic who lives alone – told the warden she couldn’t lock children in the park in sub-zero temperatures, the court heard.
Magistrates were told Joseph couldn’t remember hitting the woman but pleaded guilty because he felt it was possible he could have struck her when he went to grab the park keys in a bid to free the youngsters.
It was after this that the warden let the girls out, the court heard.
Joseph admitted he wasn’t sure how the attack happened. He said he didn’t mean to do it and showed remorse, the court was told.
Sentencing Joseph, chairman of the bench Les Clarridge said: “You clearly see how important this is to us. We want to be fair but we want to be proper in our viewpoint.
“It’s an unfortunate truth that in our age we say things that we don’t think cause offence. But on this occasion it did so.
“You got involved in a situation that you shouldn’t have done. Don’t let it happen again.”
Joseph was sentenced to a six month community order. He will also have to complete a 10 day rehabilitation programme and is subject to a two week curfew. He was ordered to pay an £85 victim surcharge and £85 in costs.
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