Andrew Jones, a 63-year-old from Hither Green, has narrowly avoided an immediate prison sentence after admitting to racially abusing and assaulting his neighbours in a dispute over his cats. The sentence was handed down at the Old Bailey on Tuesday.
Incident on George Lane
Jones had consumed “four or five pints” before arriving at his neighbours' home on George Lane at around 7pm on February 17. A family with two children was inside when Jones repeatedly banged on the front door, the court heard.
When the door was opened, Jones shoved a male neighbour in the chest and directed racist slurs at him and at two women living upstairs. He then returned to his own home and came back carrying what witnesses described as a makeshift weapon, later identified as a mastic gun used for decorating work.
Court Proceedings and Guilty Plea
Fearing further violence, the neighbours locked the door as Jones goaded them to come outside and fight. Police arrested Jones at the scene. In an interview, Jones denied assaulting anyone or making racist comments, claiming he had gone to confront the neighbours over concerns about how they had treated his cats.
He later pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon, racially aggravated assault, and two counts of racially aggravated provocation of violence.
Judge's Remarks and Sentence
Judge Richard Marks KC, the Common Serjeant of London, called Jones into the witness box before sentencing. “I wanted to address you directly as you are 63 years old and are getting on a bit,” Judge Marks said. “You have seven previous convictions for nine offences, and it is disappointing to say the least for your age that you are back before the courts again.”
The judge noted his particular concern over a 2018 conviction for racially aggravated common assault. “Racism has no place in our society,” Judge Marks said. The judge acknowledged that the row appeared to stem from Jones's concerns about his neighbours' treatment of his cat, but condemned the way he dealt with it. "You were aggressive and used appallingly racist language to your neighbours," he said.
Impact and Conditions
The judge noted that the attack happened in front of children and called the mastic gun intimidating. Jones was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months. He was also banned from contacting the victims during that time. The judge said he had narrowly avoided sending Jones to prison and warned that any repeat offending would mean jail.
