A UNIVERSITY lecturer who was victim of a racist attack said the two men who targeted him should have been jailed for longer.

On Friday, Ricky Goodman, 36, and Rory Marshall, 24, were both sentenced for the attack on Dr Peng Wang.

The University of Southampton lecturer was out jogging in Woolston when he was subjected to racist abuse in February 2020.

Goodman, of Millbrook Towers, was jailed for a total of 13 months for racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Whilst Marshall, of William Macleod Way, was jailed for nine months and two months to run concurrently for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and possession of two offensive weapons.

READ MORE: University lecturer attacked whilst jogging in Southampton

Now Dr Wang, who has since moved to Woking, has said these sentences weren’t long enough.

He told the Echo: “It's shorter than what I expected as it was an attack and from what I understand, it was racially aggravated and should be longer.

“I understand though. I feel very relieved that [police] decided to charge these guys and that they have been convicted.”

READ MORE: Ricky Goodman and Rory Marshall assaulted Dr Peng Wang

The attack took place on Vosper Road when Goodman shouted a racist slur at Dr Wang from a car driven by Marshall.

Dr Wang shouted back but after the car disappeared, it soon came back.

A fight broke out and the lecturer was knocked to the floor with a group of four men setting on him.

Having suffered a nose bleed and cuts to his face, Dr Wang was taken to hospital.

Now, more than a year later, he says he is “doing good”.

Daily Echo: Dr Peng Wang after the attack.Dr Peng Wang after the attack.

“I no longer live in Southampton. This is not because of the attack. It’s for professional reasons. I still work there.

“Every now and then when there is a car I will think are they going to shout at me. But I will be fine. It can take a long time to mentally recover.

“I can’t say I feel safe in that area [Woolston]. That area is problematic. There are many crimes.”

READ MORE: Two men jailed after Dr Peng Wang was beaten in racist attack in Southampton

After the two men were sentenced, chief Inspector Ricky Dhanda, deputy district commander for Southampton, said: “No-one should expect to go for a run in the afternoon and be subjected to this kind of vile attack; it is an affront to what Southampton stands for.

“We pride ourselves on being a city full of diverse cultures, and there is absolutely no place for hate crime. Rest assured that when anyone tries to sow hate among our communities, we will take action to root these individuals out.

“I hope this sentence reassures our communities of our commitment to tackling hate crime, and encourages victims to come forward and speak to us. We will take you seriously and treat you with respect from the moment you make your report.”

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