A 31-YEAR-old has narrowly avoided jail for racial abuse and ABH.

Matthew Dolphin, of Woodmans Rise, Droitwich, appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court on Monday, (November 29), to be sentenced for his crimes.

Dolphin previously admitted racially/religiously aggravated intentional harassment/alarm/distress - words/writing and assault a person thereby occasioning them actual body harm. 

Both of those offences took place on August 28 this year.

Worcester News: COURT: Matthew Dolphin and Sherie Reeve, in the coat, leaving Worcester Magistrates CourtCOURT: Matthew Dolphin and Sherie Reeve, in the coat, leaving Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Dolphin had denied a further offence of sexual assault on a female.

On Monday he appeared for a trial but, after Sarah Hurd, prosecuting, offered no evidence on behalf of the crown, magistrates dismissed that charge. 

Dolphin was jailed for nine weeks, suspended for a year. 

Magistrates told Dolphin the offences were so serious only a custodial sentence could be justified in his case. 

Worcester News: CASE: Matthew Dolphin has been sentenced at Worcester Magistrates CourtCASE: Matthew Dolphin has been sentenced at Worcester Magistrates Court (Image: Newsquest)

Dolphin, who at an earlier hearing made an offensive gesture to a reporter twice outside court, was also ordered to pay £185 costs and £154 victim surcharge.

Magistrates said the £339 total would need to be paid in full by January 1 next year. 

We previously reported Dolphin's partner, Sherie Reeve, also of Woodmans Rise, Droitwich, was fined for punching two victims in Droitwich.

The court heard the pair's crimes took place in Droitwich after a dispute arose between the pair and the victims. 

One of the victims, a woman, said Reeve punched her to the head before grabbing her hair and throwing her. 

The victim suffered a lump on her head and pain to the back of her neck.

Reeve, 28, also swung punches at another victim, the victim's partner. 

Mark Sheward, defending, said the mum of two had and been with Dolphin enjoying a nice evening before the male victim confronted them accusing Dolphin of being rude to his partner. 

After leaving Reeve returned and, Mr Sheward said, "lashed out" and "overstepped the mark". 

Reeve was fined £120 and told her to pay costs of £185 and £48 victim surcharge. 

Magistrates ordered no compensation be awarded as they had found there was a "degree of provocation".