Jailed Kilinc says his attack on Indian taxi driver was racially inspired

Melbourne, May 24 (ANI): A man who viciously bashed up an Indian origin Melbourne taxi driver has admitted that the attack was “racially inspired” because he hated Indians.

According to The Age, Murat Kilinc, 22, was today jailed for a maximum of three years, and, had told a psychologist the core issue of his and his family’s culture of hatred towards Indians was their apparent lack of concern for others.

Kilinc pleaded guilty to recklessly causing serious injury after beating a 23-year-old Indian student and part-time taxi driver about the head in February 2008.

Psychologist Rachael Freeland had said a combination of Kilinc’s alcohol abuse, anger issues and underlying hatred of Indians might have “contributed” to the offence.

But she said that subconsciously Kilinc’s offence may have been racially inspired, but not consciously.

Defence barrister Gregory Hughan said Kilinc, then 19 and on bail for other offences, was on a downward spiral after his father left home and a relationship ended.

In his sentencing this morning, Judge Joe Gullaci agreed with the psychologist, saying that he was not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that the victim was attacked because he was Indian.

Judge Gullaci said he was also unable to be satisfied whether the attack was preplanned or had happened after Kilinc and another passenger intended to evade the fare.

In ordering Kilinc to serve a minimum of 18 months, he said alcohol-fuelled attacks on taxi drivers would be denounced by courts and dealt with severely.

Judge Gullaci said such vulnerable people going about their normal business must be permitted to work without fear of being attacked by cowards, bashed senseless and left unconscious in deserted back streets. (ANI)