Noel Phillips says racist robber who should have been sent to jail

GMB star Noel Phillips says 17-year-old who robbed and spat on him and called him the N-word in vicious racist assault – and tells of anger that the thug avoided jail

• Mr Phillips, GMB’s North America correspondent, was assaulted in Euston
• Juvenile stole his necklace but was chased down by presenter and two officers

Good Morning Britain presenter Neil Phillips has said the 17-year-old who robbed and spat on him and called him the N-word should have been sent to jail.

Mr Phillips, GMB’s North America correspondent, was assaulted in Euston, central London in early September last year by the teenager, who also stole his necklace. 

The juvenile was arrested after Mr Phillips chased and caught him with the help of two police officers. He appeared before magistrates and received a rehabilitation order.

But Mr Phillips has said the criminal should be ‘sent to prison’ to understand the ‘severity of his crimes’. 

Good Morning Britain presenter Neil Phillips has said the 17-year-old who robbed and spat on him and called him the N-word should have been sent to jail

Mr Phillips, GMB’s North America correspondent, was assaulted in Euston, central London in early September last year by the teenager, who also stole his necklace. Above: The photo Mr Phillips posted on Twitter of the teenager’s arrest

Mr Phillips took to Twitter to post a photo of his attacker being detained by police last year. 

He told his fans: ‘I was mugged, racially assaulted, and spat on yesterday on a busy street in central London. I’m ok. Just shaken.’

The presenter then thanked officers Sergeant Clark and PC Busson for helping to ‘catch and detain’ him.

Speaking of the ordeal in the Mirror this week, he said: ‘He was trying to pull my bag and everything around my neck. My T-shirt was ripped.

‘But he managed to take off with a necklace and then that’s when I realised having frozen for a couple of seconds, and then gave chase.’

The star said he chased the robber through back streets until officers who were sitting in a van nearby saw and helped to apprehend him.

Mr Phillips is seen with fellow GMB stars Richard Madeley and Charlotte Hawkins

He was initially keen not to press any charges and told the teenager that if he gave him back his necklace, he would not pursue him further. 

The lout then spat at Mr Phillips’ face and used the N-word.

Mr Phillips got his necklace back after two-hour search, and the teenager was arrested for robbery and racially aggravated assault.

The presenter said the attack turned his life ‘upside down’.

He said the fact that the youth used a racial slur demonstrates that there are ‘still issues’ with racism in Britain.

Mr Phillips initially grappled with pressing charges but then decided to because of the fact he was spat at and racially abused.

The criminal’s punishment, handed down by a judge earlier this month, requires him to participate in a victim awareness and restorative justice project for 15 days. 

Mr Phillips added: ‘I think by being held to account, it will show that the system does work however, I think we need more robust and tougher penalties holding people to account that think it’s okay to demonise and to subject people to hate because it’s a colour of their skin. I think it’s unacceptable.’

His attacker has asked to meet with him but the presenter has yet to decide whether or not to agree.

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