Racially Aggravated Assaults Lead To Arrests In Halifax
HALIFAX, ENGLAND – A couple has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault after they were filmed shouting abuse at an NHS nurse in Manor Heath Park, Halifax. The confrontation, which occurred on Thursday, reportedly began when the nurse asked the couple to control their dog, which was off-leash.
The victim, Apple Moorhouse, who has worked for the NHS for 15 years after moving from the Philippines, was out walking with her mother and two young daughters. According to her Facebook posts, she felt compelled to act when the couple’s dog began barking and following her six-year-old daughter, causing the child to feel scared and unsafe. Apple stated she approached the couple and told them, "If he can't handle his dog, it shouldn't be off lead because they are in the public area."
Apple Moore on her Facebook
The man's response was, "Shut up, f*** off and go back to where you came from on the dingy boat." The woman allegedly told her, “You can’t even speak English.” Apple’s parents, who were visiting from abroad, were also present and were reportedly mocked for their limited English.
According to Apple's account, the man also threw a bowl of water at her 11-year-old daughter. Apple said, "I always believed that everything happens for a reason, and probably this is one of them. Let's spread LOVE, not HATE. After all, we are all human. We may have different colours, but hey, we are breathing the same air."
Apple, her mother, and a witness who intervened were all reportedly assaulted by the couple. In a Facebook post, Apple said, "I was raised to respect the elderly, and that's kept my cool down. I could have fought back, but I didn't because I still respected her because I saw her just like she's my mother." She also reflected that she feels sorry for the couple despite what they did, stating, "I can accept what they did to me, but what I don't accept or tolerate is what they did to my 11 year old daughter."
Apple writes on Facebook: Another piece of evidence that the police wanted was proof that she held me tightly enough to cause a bruise. I had to visit A&E to make sure I was okay because I woke up with pain in the left side of my neck and thorax, but thankfully it wasn't serious; it was just muscular pain.
West Yorkshire Police confirmed the arrests in a statement: “A man and a woman have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated assault. Both remain in custody at this time, and enquiries are continuing. We would like to thank the public for their assistance in this matter.”
(Watch the video of the incident here: Halifax couple harasses Pinay NHS nurse)
