Drunk Blackburn thug racially abused taxi driver and kicked police officer in chesthttps://www.lancs.live/news/lancashire- ... d-17813184A judge said Ashley Fielding's actions were 'unacceptable to the vast majority of right-thinking people'.A drunk pub reveller who racially abused and punched a taxi driver before kicking a police officer in the chest has avoided jail.
Ashley Fielding got into the taxi in Blackburn at 12.30pm on June 23 last year and in an 'aggressive manner' told driver Muhammed Yousaf "I need to go to Wilpshire".
When the 33-year-old was told he would need to pay cash upfront he replied "Don't worry I have three businesses. I will pay you."
Preston Crown Court heard that Fielding put his feet on the dashboard, racially abused Mr Yousaf and then elbowed him as he was driving the taxi.
Prosecutor Clare Thomas said when the taxi stopped at a set of traffic lights the defendant grabbed the steering wheel before punching Mr Yousaf the face and continued to elbow him.
The court heard that the victim then fled the car 'in fear' and was chased by Fielding before running off.
When police were called to the area they found the defendant asleep in nearby woodland.
When he was put into the back of a police van he continued to be abusive towards the officers and kicked the back of the van.
Ms Thomas said more officers were asked to attend the scene to help with the arrest.
The court heard that as Fielding was being led out of the van he leaned back and kicked a police officer to the chest causing him to 'jolt back'.
In a victim impact statement, Mr Yousaf said he suffered chest and head pain and was left 'extremely frightened' by the incident.
He described feeling 'depressed and anxious' and is 'now afraid of strangers'.
Fielding, of Hollowhead Avenue, Wilpshire, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault and common assault.
Defence barrister Karen Brooks said her client has a 'positive pre-sentence report' and has written two letters of apology to Mr Yousaf and the police officer who was kicked.
She told the court that Fielding had suffered a relationship breakdown with the mother of his children and had 'far too much to drink than was good for him'.
She said: "He is genuinely remorseful and embarrassed about his behaviour. The trigger to this offence seems to be alcohol related.
"There are periods in his life when he can abstain from criminal offending when there's stability in his personal circumstances.
"There had sadly been a breakdown with the mother of his two children. He had not seen them for some period of time.
"Mr Fielding that night had far too much to drink than was good for him and took it out on the poor My Yousaf who had the ill-fortune of picking up Mr Fielding as a taxi fare.
"This defendant has no ingrained racial attitudes. His verbal abuse was just an easy target and no doubt heightened by the amount of alcohol he had that evening.
"Since this incident he has stopped drinking and he has done his best to make good what he can. He poses a low risk of re-offending and has a lot to lose."
Judge Richard Gioserano said Fielding's actions were 'unacceptable to the vast majority of right-thinking people'.
He told the defendant: "Whatever your personal problems you don't take it out on people like [the taxi driver], doing his best to earn a living.
"You have taken steps to sort out your drinking but drinking is no excuse for racial abuse or violence.
"It's been over 10 years since you went to prison and I'm hoping you haven't forgotten what that was like.
"I have thought long and hard whether you need a reminder.
"I'm going to give you the opportunity to prove yourself and that it's not all talk."
Fielding was sentenced to 12-months in prison, suspended for two years with 200 hours unpaid work, a four-month curfew requirement between 8pm and 7am and a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.
Login
Register
FAQ
