Basildon man Daniel McCaffery jailed for racist abuse

Daniel McCaffrey, 49, had a “history of antagonism” with the family of a man who was living alongside him at supported living accommodation Berryfields in Colchester.

After a complaint was launched about a nine hour party McCaffery held overnight on March 18 last year, the fellow resident’s mother came to voice her concerns.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard McCaffery took affront to this and upon seeing her, launched a vile tirade of frightening and racist abuse towards her.

Incident - the abuse took place at Berryfields in Nicholsons Grove, Colchester (Image: Google)

Judge Christopher Morgan said the defendant, who has an acquired brain injury, was drunk at the time and branded his words “disgraceful”.

McCaffery, now of School Lane, Basildon, admitted racially motivated harassment and breaching a suspended sentence order.

For news updates straight to your inbox, sign up to our court and crime newsletter here.

He was jailed for 13 weeks after Judge Morgan said he took “little responsibility” for his behaviour.

David Jones, prosecuting, said McCaffery and his fellow resident did not get on and the situation escalated when he held a party overnight from 10pm to 7.20am.

Sentence - Chelmsford Crown Court (Image: Archant)

“Upon being at the site and leaving the manager’s office, she [the mother] was accosted by Mr McCaffery who proceeded to shout and swear at her,” said the prosecutor.

“He told her to go back to her home country. She walked away yet he persisted in telling her to go back to Poland and Lithuania.”

Read more: Man arrested after car is seen 'hitting multiple vehicles' in Tiptree

The court heard the row continued into the car park of the facility where the defendant threatened to kill the husband of the woman being abused.

When the police were called, McCaffery, who has seven convictions for 13 offences, said he was behaving difficultly to “make the police earn their money”.

Frightening - the court heard McCaffery became physically confrontational with his victim, but did not strike her (Image: Pixabay)

A victim impact statement read to the court said the female victim has been left “emotionally drained” by the repeated incidents involving her son.

David Barr, mitigating, said McCaffery’s judgement of situations has been impaired since he sustained a brain injury during an unlawful attack on him.

He argued the defendant’s relocation to Basildon had reduced his risk of reoffending.

But Judge Morgan said the offence caused “serious distress”, leaving him little option but to jail McCaffrey.

We passionately believe in providing unrivalled quality journalism and value for money.

With a digital subscription, you can access our exclusive, insightful and trustworthy local news from just £1 a week.

If you are not already subscribing, sign up today to get instant access to our trusted local coverage - and an ad-light experience - check what package works best for you here.