Drunk woman racially abused taxi driver in row over £20 fareDRUNKEN Angela Meakin racially abused a taxi driver after a row broke out over a fare.
The 42-year-old, who was travelling in the same car as a man and a woman, racially abused the cabbie Mohammed Rafique after he charged them £20.
Police were called and an officer heard the defendant use racist language when referring to Mr Rafique.
Now Meakin has been fined £140 after she appeared at North Staffordshire Justice Centre yesterday.
Prosecutor Steve Knowles said Mr Rafique collected a fare from the Ash Inn, Mow Cop, on July 22 but there was a dispute over the fare with the three passengers.
Mr Knowles said: "Mr Rafique insists he was racially abused and the police were called.
"An officer attended Samuel Street in Packmoor following a report of a disturbance.
"She overheard the defendant use racist language when referring to the taxi driver."
'She consumed alcohol which she had not done for five years'
The defendant was arrested. She accepted she used the words heard by the police officer. She added that she regretted her actions and was sorry.
Meakin, of King William Street, Tunstall, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress.
Becky Dulson, mitigating, said the defendant acted 'totally out of character' and was remorseful.
She said: "Her last conviction for public order dates back to 1999.
"On the date in question she had consumed alcohol and she accepts she was drunk.
"She suffers from mental health problems.
"On this occasion she was persuaded to go out.
"She consumed alcohol which she had not done for five years.
"She found herself in police custody over a dispute to do with the funds of a taxi.
"She cannot believe she finds herself in this position today.
"She offers her remorse to the court and the taxi driver."
Magistrates also ordered Meakin to pay £135 costs and a £30 surcharge.
Chairman of the bench, Ian Walton told Meakin: "It wasn't a pleasant experience for the taxi driver.
"He was only doing his duty."
Read more at
http://www.stokesentinel.co.uk/drunk-wo ... JXXXZVZ.99