Suspended term for torture victim

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A man who conducted an asylum protest by sewing his eyes and mouth together was given a suspended sentence for insulting a Muslim police officer.

Iranian Kurd Abas Amini, 36, of Hall Park Close, Littleover, Derby, admitted a religiously aggravated attack on the officer in February 2006.

The attack happened after Amini and his wife left their five-year-old son at home alone and the police were called.

The judge at Derby Crown Court also ordered him to go on an English course.

Amini stitched his eyes and lips together in 2003 when he was told the Home Office would appeal against a decision to grant his bid to stay in the UK.

Son alone

He was given a seven-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, on the condition that he is supervised by a probation officer and attends an English course.

He was also ordered to pay £350 costs.

After fleeing Iran, where he claimed to have been tortured by the authorities, Amini said he would face further persecution if he returned. He has since been allowed to stay in the UK.

Police, who were called to Amini's house by a neighbour, found his son in the street, the court heard.

His wife had left the boy alone to go to work before Amini had returned from a hospital appointment, the court was told.

Amini returned home to find the police officers with his son.

Foul language

Amini became aggressive and hurled a string of anti-Muslim insults at one of the officers, the hearing was told.

The court heard that the boy had only been left alone on this one occasion and Amini admitted losing his temper as he struggled to understand the situation.

He had suffered mental health problems since his persecution in Iran for his political views, the court heard.

Judge Anthony Mitchell said: "You responded to the police officers caring for your child by berating a Muslim police officer in the most foul and abusive language, which shows that your ability to use English is quite substantial."