Police have launched a hate crime investigation after a man defecated in the garden of cricketer and racism whistle-blower Azeem Rafiq. The ex-Yorkshire bowler was targeted at his home in Barnsley on October 5 this year.
Police said the incident is being treated as racially motivated. Officers have now released an image of a man they want to speak to in connection with the incident.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Police said: "Our Barnsley team is looking to identify the man pictured, in connection with a reported hate crime. At 6.18pm on October 5, it’s reported that a man defecated in the front garden of an address on Gawber Road, Barnsley.
"It is believed that the incident, which is classed as a public order offence, is racially motivated. We are looking to speak to this man as we believe he could help us progress our enquiries."
Mr Rafiq claimed he was the victim of institutional racism with abuse while playing at Yorkshire County Cricket Club, which led to a clear-out of coaches and board members. He told MPs earlier this month he had become the target of abuse in the wake of going public with his claims.
Giving evidence to a committee, he said: "The downside and the difficult bits have been that my family has been the target of abuse, threats and attacks. Recently at my family house there was a bloke in broad daylight (who) walked in and out of the garden... before defecating. Bringing a loo roll. It looked very planned."
