Man has today (Monday 4th July) been charged following a racist incident that happened at a Sunderland Shopping Centre over the weekend.
At around 3.40pm on Sunday (July 3rd) a woman was assaulted and racially abused in the Bridges Shopping Centre in the city centre.
The victim left the scene but there were a number of witnesses to the attack who subsequently contacted the police.
Despite not been injured the attack has left the woman very shaken.
Following police investigation a man arrested has since been charged.
Peter Scotter, 55, of Hendon Close in Plains Farm, has been charged with racial/religious aggravated intentional harassment and racial/religious aggravated common assault.
Sgt Maria Ord, of Southern Area Command, said: “This kind of incident will not be tolerated in our region and we will act quickly to identify those we believe to be responsible.
“On this occasion the female victim was very shaken by the attack but I want to commend the witnesses in the area who came to her aid and contacted police.
“This is very much an isolated incident but extra patrols will be on patrol to reassure any concerned members of the public.”
The man is due to appear at Sunderland Magistrates Court on July 19.