Aladje Balde (Image: South Wales Police)
Last Updated: 1 minute ago
A 23-year-old has been sentenced to 12 months in prison after carrying out a string of assaults across Cardiff Bay, during which he racially abused two workers and punched a police officer in the face.
Aladje Balde, of Sedgemoor Road, Llanrumney, admitted to racially/religiously aggravated assault, assault by beating, criminal damage, and assaulting a constable when he appeared at Newport Crown Court.
The attacks
The court heard that on April 23, Balde arrived at the Greggs store in Mermaid Quay before it had opened. When the manager prevented him from entering, Balde attempted to intimidate him by getting close to his face and grabbing his shirt collar. A member of staff who called the police and asked Balde to leave was slapped across the face with an open palm.
Balde then made his way to a nearby Tesco Express, where he punched a security guard twice in the mouth, leaving him with swollen lips and injuries inside his mouth. He directed a racial slur at the guard, calling him a “f****** Pakistani” and threatening to kill him.
When a colleague tried to intervene and calm the situation, Balde kicked him twice in the leg, knocking him to the ground, before directing further racial abuse at him.
Assault on officer
Prosecutor Megan Harriman told the court that Balde then walked to Cardiff Bay police station and kicked a passing taxi, damaging the passenger door. A police officer who approached and attempted to de-escalate was punched in the face, causing her to fall to the floor. She sustained extensive bruising to her eye.
“How can I be racist?”
Following his arrest, Balde told officers he had consumed a mixture of codeine and promethazine – known as “Lean” – which had left him intoxicated. When questioned about the racist language he had used during the attacks, he responded: “I’m black myself, how can I be racist?”
Impact on victims
The security guard described being left “in shock and mental trauma” and was unable to return to work for a week. The police officer was reported to be experiencing anxiety and stress, with a decline in her mental health.
Previous offending
Balde had three previous convictions, including possession with intent to supply cocaine and heroin, possession of a rambo knife, and battery. He had previously served a three-year prison sentence.
Sentencing
Defence barrister Sali Harmes told the court her client’s behaviour was “out of character” and had been driven by a “cocktail of substances” that left him feeling paranoid. She said Balde had been educated to university level, studying science, but had not completed his degree due to his earlier offending.
Passing sentence, Judge Eugene Egan told Balde: “You caused upset and harm to people going about their lawful business and jobs… You treated them absolutely abysmally.”
Balde was sentenced to a total of 12 months imprisonment.
