Racially Attacked Student Too Scared To Go Out At Night

An Exeter student who was punched several times in an unprovoked racist attack has said she is too scared to go out in Exeter at night.

Kelly To, a third year law student, was approached the day after Drummer Lee Rigby was murdered outside his barracks in Woolwich, South East London.

Drummer Lee Rigby

The attack happened as she walked along Exeter Quay with her boyfriend on 23rd May. She said: “One of the guys asked us what we thought of the attack in Woolwich that had happened the day before. We said we didn’t know and did not want to give an opinion on such a sensitive issue.

“I turned around and this girl was right in my face. She grabbed my hair and punched me in the head several times. My boyfriend was trying to get in the way. The only reason the girl got off was that one of the other boys came over.”

Sophie Morgan, 19, from Nadderwater, pleaded guilty to a charge of racially aggravated assault at Exeter Magistrates Court. She was ordered to pay £75 compensation and carry out 150 hours of unpaid work.

To, who was born in Britain but has Chinese heritage, said she hoped the conviction would help her move on from the incident. “It has been my experience that Exeter is a welcoming place for all cultures. I don’t think what happened to me is representative of the views of the city.

“But I am still shaken up by things. I don’t like to go out at night any more and just keep myself to myself.”

Investigating Officer PC Caroline Stevens of Exeter CID said: “I am satisfied with the outcome of the case and would like to echo the very brave comments from the victim that racist attacks like this are rare and have no place in Exeter.”