Michael Hilton, 33 stabbed an Asian man (Photo: Northumbria Police)

Elham Asaad Buaras

A Sunderland man who stabbed an Asian man in revenge “for the ISIS beheadings” will not be jailed after a judge sentenced him to an 18-month community order and supervision last month.

Michael Hilton, 33, has spent the past 16 months in prison on remand while being assessed by psychologists. Newcastle Crown Court heard he has already spent more time in custody than is appropriate for his offence.

Hilton randomly attacked a 32-year-old Asian man in his car, stabbing him in the neck with scissors. Hilton later telephoned the police and said, “They should not be beheading people” and “God told me to do it”.

Hilton claimed he had been hearing voices telling him to attack Muslims “in the name of all the people beheaded by ISIS”.

The court heard the victim had been waiting outside a Tesco shop in Sunderland with friends in his car, when Hilton approached and asked for a light.

Neil Jones, prosecuting, said: “The injured party, not being a smoker, looked to the rear passengers in the car and discovered no one had a lighter.

When his back was turned Hilton stabbed him with the scissors. The court heard the victim had to undergo a series of Hepatitis B injections after the attack and was left traumatised.

The victim who wishes to remain anonymous was left with a scar and is now wary of strangers, the court heard.

He said he found Hilton’s ISIS remarks “deeply disturbing,” adding: “There is no need for a complete stranger to make such racist remarks towards me in relation to race or religion.”

The judge said Hilton’s psychological problems can be managed with the aid of probation service. Hilton, who admitted racially aggravated assault, has previous convictions and has served time in prison in the past for violence.