...although presumably the driver was effectively saying he would overcharge here?
Bishop Auckland man took exception to Durham taxi driver's commenthttps://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/ ... s-comment/A would-be taxi passenger lost his temper with the driver after being told that if his wife was sick in his car it would cost him a £200 repair bill.Durham Crown Court heard that defendant John Harrop had been out with his wife having a few drinks in the city on December 27, 2023, but at the end of the evening they went looking for a taxi to take them home to the Bishop Auckland area.
The court was told that as Mr Harrop’s wife was quite intoxicated some other drivers were not prepared to give them a lift.
One driver, however, told the defendant he would take them home, but on the basis they would be charged £200 if she was sick in his car.
Fiona Clancy, prosecuting, said the defendant seemed to take exception at this and told the Asian driver: “I’m a Gypsy, you f***ing b**** b*****d.”
He then delivered a single forceful punch to the driver’s face, causing injuries to his nose and upper gum.
Harrop was said to have continued shouting racist abuse as he then walked away.
The 37-year-old defendant of Green Lane, Bishop Auckland, admitted a single charge of racially or religiously aggravated assault.
Miss Clancy told the court it was aggravated as the defendant was intoxicated at the time and because he has previous convictions for offences of violence, and because of the racist slurs.
“It’s clearly caused distress to the victim, who has lost out some business as he was unable to work for a few nights, as a result of his injuries.”
Tony Davis, for Harrop, said: “Paradoxically, had he not been impaired with alcohol, this argument would not have escalated like it did and he’s deeply ashamed by what he did.”
Mr Davis presented the court with character references on behalf of the defendant, some of them from people he has encountered in trap harness racing both in the UK and abroad.
“It’s cost him a great deal, not simply in financial terms but reputationally, with owners of livestock horses that he looks after, and he’s expressed his great regret.
“It’s been a salutary experience for him, throughout these proceedings.
“He’s apologised to these people because of the racist language he has used.
“This has cost him an awful lot, for this one drunken episode.”
Mr Davis said the remorse is genuine and not just because of the consequences of such a conviction.
“There’s been no repetition since December 2023.
“He’s had an opportunity to demonstrate he can behave in a lawful fashion.
“This was a one-punch situation, not followed up at all and clearly was aggravated by the racial slurs he uttered at the time.”
Judge Richard Bennett told Harrop he left the driver “shocked” and losing fares.
“He was only doing his job and did nothing to provoke you from being violent.
“He took several days off work at a busy time of the year for him.
“It was a short-lived assault but not in self-defence.
“You do have a record for violence, but I accept it was ten years or more ago.”
The judge told Harrop he had read a pre-sentence Probation Service report in which the defendant, himself, reported having suffered from racism and stereotyping because of his traveller status.
But he said it was to his credit that he had an insight into his offending that night and has, “a strong work ethic, being highly involved with horses, having enjoyed great success in harness racing.”
The judge added: “Had you not been drunk those words may not have been uttered.”
He passed a 32-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, with a requirement to complete 150 hours’ unpaid work.
Harrop must also pay his victim £1,200 compensation at the rate of £150 per month.
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