Police asking people to spread joy not hate on busiest Christmas Party night

Ahead of the busiest night of the year for Christmas parties, the City of London Police are reminding people that drunkenness is no excuse for committing hate crime.

This comes after a successful prosecution of a man who racially abused and assaulted City of London Police Constable Lehman Chan.

Lee Bozward, 44 of no fixed abode, had been drinking outside Tesco’s on Bishopsgate and got into an altercation with staff. Bozward broke a glass bottle and threated a delivery driver. PC Chan and a colleague were called to the scene and detained Bozward nearby.

During the arrest for common assault, Bozward kicked PC Chan and used offensive racially abusive language. He was further arrested for those offences. Bozward appeared at Westminster Magistrates Court and pleaded guilty to three offences. He was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing.

PC Lehman Chan, 24, said: “Police officers join the job to serve the public and should be able to do so without the threat of violence and racial abuse. Drunkenness is no excuse for hate crime and we will hold people accountable for their actions.

“This prosecution sends out a message to the public that we take all hate crime seriously and urge people to report all incidents to the police so they can be fully investigated.”

Another recent prosecution shows that the City of London Police will take action against those who shout racist abuse in the street.

Haranicky Singh, 48, from Bury pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment to cause distress and alarm. He was captured on camera shouting deeply offensive racist remarks and threats to kill at a black member of public. When Singh was shown the footage, he said that he felt shocked and embarrassed. He was given a criminal record and fined over £1,000.