Man racially abused taxi driverAN APPRENTICE mechanic who racially abused a taxi driver has been ordered to pay a £265 penalty.
Jamie Horobin assaulted Syed Hussain and called him a racially insulting name, Bristol magistrates heard.
The 19-year-old, of Orchard Road, Kingswood, pleaded guilty to racially or religiously aggravated common assault at St Augustine's Parade on December 1.
Magistrates fined him £65 with £85 costs, a £15 victim surcharge and £100 compensation.
They suggested he could give up smoking to pay it off.
Andrea Edwards, prosecuting, said Horobin was being abusive to another driver when Mr Hussain told the victim to call the police and Horobin assaulted him. Horobin punched Mr Hussain in the head and kicked his car, the court heard, before his friend dragged him away.
The teenager told police he had been verbally abused.
He said he was very drunk at the time and couldn't remember being at St Augustine's Parade or speaking to a taxi driver.
Jane Taylor, defending, said her client was of hitherto "impeccable" character.
She said: "He has a job, a stable home environment, he doesn't take drugs and he has never been in trouble before.
"He does not consider himself to be a racist. He's deeply appalled at his own behaviour and pleaded guilty at the first opportunity."
She said her client had consumed a mixture of cider and vodka and Red Bull and had to be restrained in a bear hug in the isolated incident.
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