Black Country News: Jail for driver in race attack; SMETHWICK: Sikh aimed car at Muslim schoolboy, judge told.

Byline: By Ron Warrilow

A MAN who drove his car at a Muslim schoolboy in a racially-aggravated attack has been jailed for nine months.

The boy needed hospital treatment for a gash after being clipped on the leg by Sarabjit Johal's vehicle, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

After his arrest, Johal told police officers: "I hate them. If I had the chance I would kill one."

Johal, 21, of Boden Road, Smethwick, admitted dangerous driving and was also banned from driving for five years.

Tarlochan Dubb, prosecuting, said Johal felt the 15 year-old boy had bullied his brother.

Johal told the boy: "I always beat up you Muslims. If I find out you had anything to do with the bullying I will chop your head off."

He then threatened the boy before driving his car on to the pavement. Revving loudly, the vehicle hit the teenager on the leg.

Ekwall Tiwana, defending, said there had been problems between Muslims and Sikhs at the school and Johal's brother had been subjected to intense bullying,

"To his shame he took it upon himself to go to the school. He saw the boy whose group did the bullying and drove his car in this way. It was a shameful act."

Johal was full of remorse for his actions, he added.

Judge William Wood told Johal: "You drove at a boy of a different religious faith. You have sunk to an extremely low depth.

"This was dreadful behaviour."