Judge hits out at prosecution over taxi driver charge
PROSECUTORS have been criticised for not levelling a more serious charge at a man who racially abused a taxi driver.
District judge Bruce Morgan blasted the Crown Prosecution Service for charging Scott Spragg, of Selsey Close, Warndon, Worcester, with using racially abusive slurs.
He said the evidence pointed to a more serious charge of causing the driver to fear he would be attacked – which can lead to a jail term.
Mr Morgan was told that Spragg had told the driver: “I’ll come looking for you – I know what you look like.”
He and co-defendant Matthew Dancox appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court in relation to an incident outside the city police station in Castle Street on Thursday, March 3.
Spragg, aged 21, admitted using racially abusive threatening language while Dancox, aged 21, of Bankside Close, Northwick, Worcester, admitted criminal damage and possession of cannabis.
Sarah Stock, prosecuting, said the taxi driver had picked up two women and three men in St John’s, Worcester, taking them to Warndon.
She said: “At Castle Street, the driver recognised two of his passengers as previously not paying a fare.
“He said he would only carry on if they paid the fare in full and the group refused.”
A row ensued over how much of the fare would be paid back.
Miss Stock said Spragg got out and went to the driver’s side before using racially offensive language and saying: “I know what you look like.”
At this point, the judge halted the prosecution evidence.
He said: “The guidelines are quite clear, that’s a threat to life because of the colour of the driver’s skin.
“The evidence suggests a Section 4 offence [rather than Section 5].”
Miss Stock then told the court that the taxi driver drove away but as he did, Dancox kicked the taxi, causing £1,000 damage.
Following his arrest, Dancox admitted having £3 of cannabis on him.
In interview, Spragg said he could not remember much about the incident but that the language “sounded like the kind of thing” he would say, adding there was nothing wrong with what he had said.
Mark Sheward, defending, told the judge both men were “remorseful” and “accepted they had done wrong”.
Spragg was fined £100 and ordered to pay £75 compensation, £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.
Dancox was given 120 hours’ unpaid work and ordered to pay £600 compensation and £85 costs. He was fined £100 for the cannabis.
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