Man who punched a stranger in antisemitic attack is sentenced
A man who punched a woman twice in the face in an antisemitic attack in Shoreham, Sussex, has been sentenced.
Romilly Hudson, 44, was sentenced to nine months in custody, suspended for 18 months, following a successful CPS prosecution.
He attacked the woman in January 2025 who went up to a market stall which he and others were holding in relation to the situation in Gaza. He first yelled antisemitic abuse at her, before hitting her, leaving her with bruising to her face, eye and ear.
Kris Venkatasami, Chief Crown Prosecutor from the Crown Prosecution Service, said: “The victim in this case wanted to have a reasoned and peaceful discussion with people, but Romilly Hudson did not want anything of the sort.
“Instead, he shouted a stream of highly charged and incendiary racist abuse at her, before launching an unprovoked attack and punching her in the face.
“No one should be subjected to violence and abuse, based on their race. That is unacceptable and the Crown Prosecution Service is clear - antisemitism has no place in our society.”
Notes to editors
- Romilly Hudson [05/10/1981] pleaded guilty to one charge of racially or religiously aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm and one charge of racially or religiously aggravated harassment at a hearing on 10 October 2025 at Crawley Magistrates’ Court.
- At a sentencing hearing on 16 March 2026 at Worthing Magistrates’ Court, Hudson was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. Because of the racist nature of the crime, this was increased from eight months. He was also ordered to pay a £120 fine, increased from £80 because of the racist nature of the crime and was also given a restraining order for a year.
- Kris Venkatasami is the Chief Crown Prosecutor with the Crown Prosecution Service South East.