Epping: Man sentenced over bomb threats and racist assault

An investigation into threats made against pub staff and a racially-motivated assault on a member of the public in Epping has seen a 40-year-old man sentenced.

Ben McCormack, of Hudgell Road, Stansted, threatened to harm members of the public, made threats to bomb properties and assaulted an innocent passer-by.

He visited Epping on Sunday 24 August this year, entering a pub at around 12.30pm. He was heard by witnesses screaming obscenities, swearing and using racist language.

His behaviour was such that he was asked to leave by staff.

McCormack responded by threatening to bomb the pub and the nearby Bell Hotel.

Once outside in the street, at around 2.50pm, McCormack was seen to approach a passing man.

The resultant interaction was captured on mobile phone footage.

McCormack, wrongly believing the stranger to be an asylum seeker residing at the hotel, directed obscene, racist and threatening language towards him. He also punched and pushed the man.

Members of the public witnessed this abuse and assault, expressing their fear as a result.

Officers were then called and attended, arresting McCormack at the scene.

McCormack admitted two counts of making threats to destroy property and one count of racially aggravated assault.

Appearing before a judge at Chelmsford Crown Court on Tuesday 28 October, he was made the subject of an 18-month community order.

This comprises 40 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 120 days of alcohol abstinence monitoring.

He must not enter Epping town centre as part of the conditions of his sentence and he must carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

'We investigated this incident like any other impacting Epping'

Officer in the case Detective Constable Emma Jackson, of Loughton CID, said:

“McCormack’s actions were, by his own admission, shameful.
“Intoxicated, in the middle of the day, he used racist language and made threats in front of pub customers and staff.
“Later, residents simply trying to go about their lives in the town centre saw him assault a wholly innocent man, again using disgusting racist language as he did so.
“As we have with any incidents impacting on the people of Epping, we acted and attended, swiftly making an arrest and securing the charges which have led to McCormack’s guilty pleas and sentence.”

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