Abroad
Veteran Member
A man accused of ripping a niqab from a Muslim woman in a Sunderland shopping centre and shouting racist abuse is to face a crown court hearing.
Peter Scotter, 55, is charged with racially aggravated common assault on the woman, who was with her nine-year-old daughter, on 3 July.
Magistrates in Sunderland heard the alleged incident at the city's Bridges centre left the woman with neck pain.
The case was referred to Newcastle Crown Court for a hearing on 16 August.
He is also accused of causing alarm, harassment or distress to a female police officer called to attend the incident.
Chairman of the Bench Robert Dash said: "We consider that the allegations are so serious we cannot deal with them.
"We are going to therefore refer you to Newcastle Crown Court."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-36832619