Yob threatened to slit taxi driver's throat in vile racist attackhttps://www.staffordshire-live.co.uk/ne ... rs-5620113
An innocent taxi driver was subjected to a torrent of vile racist abuse by a yob who has now been jailed.
Ryan Kemp repeatedly shouted deeply offensive phrases at the cabbie who was visiting a friend.
The 21-year-old who was spoiling for a fight also threatened to slit his victim's throat.
The incident happened while the defendant was subject to a suspended jail sentence he received for controlling and coercive behaviour, StokeonTrent Live reported.
Now Kemp has been sentenced to nine months in prison at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.
Prosecutor Geoff Lowe said a taxi driver was visiting a friend in flats when the defendant shouted, 'You P*** b******' towards him.
Mr Lowe said: "The defendant was jumping up and down and moving his right arm around."
Kemp, of Lansbury Grove, Meir, was convicted after a trial of causing racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence and commission of an offence during a suspended sentence.
District Judge Timothy Boswell's notes of the trial at North Staffordshire Justice Centre read: "The defendant shouted from an upstairs window. He came downstairs and repeatedly used phrases, 'P*** b******', and 'smelly ****'. He said, 'I will slit your throat, come around the corner; come fight me'.
"He had his hand around the back of his trousers."
The judge was not sure if the defendant had a knife but was certain the victim believed he had a weapon.
The court heard Kemp's two previous convictions were an affray in March 2019 when he received an 18-month community order and controlling and coercive behaviour in September 2019 when he was sentenced to nine months, suspended for 12 months.
Jason Holt, mitigating, said the defendant was aged 20 when he committed the offence and is soon to turn 22.
He is working and has been subject to a curfew for 121 days. which means 66 days would be deducted from any prison sentence.
He is in a new relationship and is very positive about the future.
Mr Holt added: "For the first time everything seems to be going well for him. There is a real prospect he will comply with court orders. There have been no breaches of bail."
Judge Paul Glenn said: "In March 2019 I sentenced you for an offence of affray, making a community order. In September the same year I sentenced you for controlling and coercive behaviour and made you the subject of a suspended sentence.
"You were convicted after trial in the magistrates' court. It is a serious offence. You targeted the driver for racial abuse on the basis of his presumed nationality. You then came downstairs and went out the building to him looking for a fight. He believed you were armed which is the impression you were looking to give.
"In the aftermath the driver described feeling shocked and fearful and he would have been.
"The pre-sentence report in February 2019, at that stage the author highlighted your casual attitude to violence when you said, 'I am not intimidated by anyone'.
"You have a propensity for violence. You were subject to two court orders at the time. Neither have deterred you.
"I have tried to keep you out of custody by making orders in the past. Supervision and rehabilitation activity requirements did not stop you from re-offending in the way you did.
"The suspended sentence has to be activated. It is so serious only immediate custody is appropriate."
Login
Register
FAQ
