Racist attacker jailed
A racist yob who hurled a torrent of abuse as a taxi driver after he realised he did not have enough to pay the full fair was jailed this week.
Tony Gordon, 20, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault by beating at Hastings Magistrates Court on Monday.
The court then how Gordon had hired a taxi to take him back to his home in Eversley Road in Bexhill after visiting friends in Battle on July 26 - despite only having 10 on him.
When he arrived home to find his girlfriend, who he had hoped would give him the rest of his fair, was out the evening took a turn for the worst.
Mindful of losing out on his fair, the taxi driver told Gordon he would have to go with him to the police station to resolve the matter.
According to the prosecution, Gordon, who had only just been released from prison on licence, responded angrily.
Mark Kateley, prosecuting, said: "He started getting aggressive and called the driver an illegal immigrant and told him he was not meant to be here.
"He then said if he wanted 20 he would have to let Gordon perform a sex act on his mum.
"He shouted more racist abuse at him and then punched him number of times in the head."
Ronan Crummy, defending, invited the magistrates to send Gordon to prison because he would already be due for recall for re-offending while on licence.
Mr Crummy said: "He had not had the chance to offer the driver 10 before he was told he was going to be taken to the police station.
"Perhaps it is a sign of the times that the driver thought he was the sort of person who would run off and not pay.
"That said, his (Gordon's) behaviour cannot be condoned and in a sober state he knows that."
Graham Frost, chairman of magistrates, told Gordon: "You are going to prison because we do not tolerate racially aggravated assault."
Gordon was sentenced to 16 weeks in prison.
Mr Frost added: "Why you did not just get the train home I don't know."
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Friday 10 February 2012
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