Not really sure why I bothered with this, because it's more about a road rage incident that could have happened to anyone, but the victim just happened to be a cab driver.
Racist road rage yob left Romanian taxi driver feeling 'sub-human'https://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/news/p ... ft-2488005Ex-serviceman Mark Evans, aged 46, pursued the man in his car and said foreigners should not drive in this countryA road rage yob attacked and racially-abused a Romanian taxi driver – leaving him feeling “sub-human”.
Ex-serviceman Mark Evans, aged 46, pursued the man in his car after a near-miss at a Plymouth roundabout, a court heard.
He hurled vile abuse at the driver, including telling him that foreigners should not be allowed to drive in this country.
Evans, who served in Afghanistan, snatched the man’s mobile phone and threw it into a garden, Plymouth Crown Court heard.
The victim, whom Plymouth Live is not naming, later told police he was regularly abused by passengers and members of the public – but this was the worst incident.
He said in a statement read to court: “These words are horrible. It made me feel like a sub-human thing who has no rights.”
Handing Evans a suspended prison sentence, Judge Paul Darlow said the abuse was “unpleasant and in parts threatening”.
The judge said: “The abuse was not the worst of its kind but it is still upsetting to someone who is used to being verbally insulted.
“He is trying to make his living in this country and should not be exposed to this sort of behaviour.”
Evans, of Doddridge Close in Plymstock, admitted racially-aggravated assault and racially-aggravated harassment on October 22. He admitted his offences on the day of his expected trial last month.
Neil Whittle, for the Crown Prosecution Service, said there was a road rage incident at about 7pm that night.
He added that Evans’ BMW and the taxi nearly collided at Elburton Roundabout in Plymstock.
Mr Whittle said that the driver continued to his next fare – but Evans followed him.
The barrister added that Evans walked over to the driver’s open window and started shouting and swearing.
The victim later told police that Evans had picked up on his accent.
Mr Whittle said: “He shouted words to the effect that ‘Why don’t you f*** o** to your own country. You f****** foreigners should not be driving in this country.
“Next time I see you, I will rip your f****** head off.”
He added that Evans walked away but returned when he saw the taxi driver taking pictures of his car – presumably to capture the number plate.
Mr Whittle said the defendant struggled with the victim, managed to get his phone and throw it into a nearby garden.
The court heard that Evans drove away but the woman who had been waiting for the taxi witnessed the incident and made a note of his registration number after all.
Mr Whittle read out a statement from the victim which said: “At the time of the incident I felt very shaken. It was a very stressful situation.”
The man, who has been in this country for seven years, said that he was used to racist abuse but this was the worst incident.
He added in the statement: “I was trying to calm him down, but as soon as I spoke, he heard the accent. I could not settle for the next few nights and had to take the next day off work, because I could not face anyone.”
The driver said that he felt very nervous about attending a trial and was relieved when Evans pleaded guilty at the last minute.
He added: “I do not feel he has shown any remorse.”
Nick Lewin, barrister for Evans, said his client did not accept his guilt in police interview out of shame.
He said that he had served in Afghanistan and had “childhood issues” which left him suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Mr Lewin added that Evans was self-employed and his wife was also suffering from chronic illness.
The barrister said the defendant was now tackling his problems.
Judge Darlow handed Evans a 12-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. He must do 15 days of probation supervision, pay £1,200 costs and a total of £240 compensation to the victim.
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