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Gillingham care worker subjected to racist abuse for parking outside his home

Vile racist abuse left on a care worker's car parked outside his house has left him saying he no longer feels safe in his own home.

Ousman Jammeh, from Gillingham, went to leave for work on Tuesday when he found the disgusting notes left taped to the windscreen of his car.

The vile abuse taped to Ousman's car. Picture: Simone James
The vile abuse taped to Ousman's car. Picture: Simone James

Ousman had parked outside his home as he does every day after finishing his shift at 9pm.

The full wording on the note, which KentOnline has decided not to publish, involved a racial insult and a derogatory word aimed at the 39-year-old.

The father-of-three said: "This is the third time this has happened this year. It makes me feel upset. It makes me lose all hope.

"How can people not look after each other? I see these people around me as my family. All I do is care for people and I do so much for the community.

"Throughout lockdown and the pandemic I have had to avoid seeing my family, as I have a lot of people who are dependent on my care.

He parked his car as he usually would after returning from work. Picture: Simone James
He parked his car as he usually would after returning from work. Picture: Simone James

"And seeing things like this, for me, it's really painful. I just don't know how to describe it.

"Every five to 10 minutes I have to sit down and take a minute just to think.

"This is ruining me, I don't feel safe in my home. I have young children and I'm scared."

His neighbour said there was nothing wrong with the way Ousman had parked: "His car was parked outside his house, as he always does. He didn't do anything wrong."

Ousman works long hours at a care home in Medway looking after people with learning disabilities.

Ousman describes how he no longer feels safe in his own home. Stock picture
Ousman describes how he no longer feels safe in his own home. Stock picture

The key worker said it wasn't the first time he had been subjected to racial abuse.

He broke down while recalling a day out in the park with his nine-year-old daughter in September.

Through the tears, he said: "She was playing with a little girl, getting on happily, having a great time, like kids do. They just got on so easily, it was lovely to see.

"They were having fun. The next thing I know the other kid was called by her parents, and they told her not to play with coloured people.

"The kid was so upset, she came to me and said 'I'm not going home because I want to, but my dad said I can't play any more'.

As a key worker, Ousman described how he works long hours caring for others but feels as if no one cares for him. Stock picture
As a key worker, Ousman described how he works long hours caring for others but feels as if no one cares for him. Stock picture

"Right there my daughter just broke down, and it was so painful, as a father. I don't know how to describe it.

"I've spent all my life supporting the community, and you have people out there making me and my family feel unwelcome and unsafe.

"I moved here from Africa a while ago, but my kids were born here.

"My kids keep asking me 'why' and 'who did this', but I have no answers for them. I have to make them believe it is OK, but my oldest is 13, he's not stupid, he knows it's not OK."

Spokesman for Kent Police, James Walker said: "Kent Police received a report that a racist message had been placed on the windscreen of a car which had been parked in Gillingham.

"A designated community liaison officer has made contact with the victim to provide support and gather further information."

Inquiries into the matter are ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call Kent Police on 01634 792209 quoting 46/209636/20 or call Crimestoppers in Kent anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Ousman's picture, address and place of work have not been included to protect him and his family.

To get the latest updates in ongoing cases, police appeals and criminals put behind bars, click here

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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