A man who engaged in a disturbing racially aggravated harassment campaign against his neighbors, including criminal damage and threats of rape, narrowly avoided a jail sentence. Sarbjit Hundal, aged 53, directed a barrage of racial insults towards the neighboring family, even resorting to violent acts like repeatedly punching their window until it shattered and tearing down their garden fence while their daughter was alone at home.
Despite being previously convicted of racially abusing the same neighbor in August 2023, Hundal’s latest harassment spree began in December 2024 and extended until May of the following year. He went as far as threatening to rape two women residing in the property.
Following his arrest and release on bail with strict orders not to contact his neighbors, Hundal continued his aggressive behavior towards them shortly after being set free. He faced charges of common assault, four instances of racially aggravated harassment, harassment without violence, and assault on an emergency worker. Additionally, he verbally abused the arresting officers in a racially discriminatory manner.
Initially denying some of the charges, Hundal later changed his plea to guilty in July just before his trial was set to commence. During the court proceedings on September 18, the prosecutor, Rajni Prashar, recounted how Hundal persistently harassed the family despite being legally restrained from doing so.
The prosecutor detailed an incident on December 20 where Hundal verbally threatened the homeowner’s daughter while aggressively damaging their property. This behavior continued even after he was released on bail, leading to further confrontations with the police.
Hundal’s escalating harassment campaign, marked by repeated breaches of his bail conditions, left the family in a constant state of anxiety and fear. The court learned about his prior convictions for various offenses, including racially aggravated crimes in 2020 and 2022.
The magistrates strongly condemned Hundal’s reprehensible actions, emphasizing the family’s right to peace and safety in their own home. Hundal was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison for the December offenses, suspended for 18 months, and an additional six weeks for the harassment campaign, to run concurrently with the initial term.
As part of his sentence, Hundal was mandated to engage with probation services, complete rehabilitation sessions, attend mental health treatment, pay compensation to the homeowner and assaulted officers, and adhere to a three-year restraining order prohibiting contact with the family or property damage. Hundal agreed to a payment plan despite being on benefits.
