A man convicted of punching a drag star in an “appalling” hate crime has been given a suspended jail sentence.
Last month the scaffolder Alan Whitfield, 51, was found guilty by Liverpool magistrates of a one-punch attack on James Lee Williams, 31, who performs as The Vivienne and won the first series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK.
Williams, who came third in last year’s Dancing on Ice, was targeted as he waited for food at midday at a McDonald’s in Edge Lane, Liverpool, last June.
Whitfield subjected him to a barrage of abuse about his appearance, before hitting him on the jaw with a heavy blow, the court heard. Williams was left with a bruised jaw that hurt for a week, he told the court. But, he said, luckily he is a 6ft former rugby player who can take a punch.
Sentencing Whitfield on Friday, the district judge Paul Healey told him: “Your behaviour was really appalling. The most serious aggravating feature of the offence is the fact that it was motivated by hostility to the victim because of their sexual orientation.”
The judge also noted the assault took place at about noon in an enclosed public area in the presence of children, who had to be moved out of harm’s way.
He said he decided against imposing an immediate custodial sentence because of Whitfield’s lack of recent and relevant convictions and the impact on his mother, who has severe health difficulties and relies on her son as a primary carer.
Whitfield, from the Everton area of Liverpool, was sentenced to 12 weeks in jail, suspended for 18 months, and must abide by a two-year restraining order banning any contact with Williams. As part of the sentence he must complete 12 sessions of mental health treatment and 10 rehabilitation activity days with the probation service.
Whitfield, who pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to assault by beating, must also pay £300 compensation to his victim, along with £454 court costs.
In a victim personal statement read to the court on Wednesday, Williams said: “As a proud gay man, I have never hidden who I am or edited myself. It shames me to say at the age of 31, I am for the first time in my life a lot more conscious that I could be attacked at any moment simply for living my authentic life.”
Whitfield disputed the assault was motivated by Williams’ sexuality and claimed he reacted in anger to a comment made about his skin.
