Drunken women guilty of racist abuse to taxi driver after 'God' row
A PAIR of drunken friends racially abused a taxi driver after he refused to take them all the way home following an argument about religion.
Tanya Brian and Angela Saunders said cabbie Mohammed Ashab was "dirty", swore at him and called him racist names when he stopped their journey in Derby on November 10.
Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court was told that Brian, 37, and Saunders, 38, had been drinking heavily and got into Mr Ashab's cab at 9.55pm outside the Byron pub, in Byron Street, Derby.
Once inside, they told him to go to Brian's address, in Hollis Street but, while en route, they started arguing with him.
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Peter Bettany, prosecuting, said: "On the way, Miss Brian and Miss Saunders had a go at Mr Ashab because he gave way for a police van.
"He changed the subject, asking them if they'd had a good day to which one of the defendants replied, 'We always have a good day'.
"Miss Brian asked the driver if he had any children to which he replied, 'Yes, God blessed me with a son'.
"She said, 'Where is God?' to which he replied, 'God is everywhere'.
"She said, 'When we get back to mine, I'll show you God', which Mr Ashab saw as a threat.
"He stopped the car outside the Navigation pub."
Mr Bettany said Mr Ashab told Brian and Saunders, of Waterford Drive, Chaddesden, that he was not taking them any further and asked them to pay him the fare clocked up so far – £4.90.
As they got out, they shouted racist names at Mr Ashab as he followed them asking for the money.
The police then arrived and the pair were arrested and questioned.
Mr Bettany said: "In interview, Miss Brian said she had drunk 14 bottles of Budweiser lager.
"She denied she had called the taxi driver any racist names.
"But she had called the police and the operator said she had used racist names and the tape of their conversation was played back to her.
"Miss Saunders admitted in interview that she should not have used the racist names she did."
Brian admitted a racially-aggravated public order offence while Saunders pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour.
Rob Whetton, for Saunders and Sue McGarver, for Brian, said their clients had shown genuine remorse for their actions.
Magistrate Malcolm Prentice handed Brian a three-month community order, a three-month curfew from 7pm to 7am, £85 costs, £50 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.
He handed Saunders a six-month community order, £85 costs, £50 compensation and a £60 victim surcharge.
He said: "Your behaviour was despicable, unnecessary and alcohol cannot be an excuse.
"I hope that is deeply imprinted in your minds today."
Comments
by 1realest2
Wednesday, January 09 2013, 10:42AM
“victims of night time economy ? liver disease 5th biggest killer in uk but taxes are more important if terrorism could be taxed it would be made legal.”
by coralsea
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 2:30PM
“They should also never be allowed to travel with the taxi company, an immediate ban!!!!”
by Gonzo
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 1:58PM
“Abuse is abuse - I fail to see why its treated differently if it refers to someones race as opposed to, say, their looks, dress, hair colour or whatever.”
by Marcus_oNE
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 1:23PM
“This is the tip of the iceberg in terms of the daily abuse taxi drivers get.. Especially as most of them are from the Asian community and the majority of the abuse is racist fuelled by drink!
Classy women!”
by hawke7
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 1:11PM
“how two nice girls from decent neighborhoods,who had been drinking responsible in a upmarket bar surprises me!”
by DerbyTom
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 12:21PM
“A couple of pi##heads got what they deserved.”
by darkev40
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 9:28AM
“Rare to read that a court has actually served up some justice. I imagine these 2 "ladies" never expected to end up being punished in court for being racist and refusing to pay their fare. Let it be a lesson to future Boozed up Britain lager louts. I for 1 am sick of seeing people urinating in shop doorways and placing a strain on our emergency services due to their intolerable 14 bottles of bud attitude. Bring back the stockade !!”
by SubzeroV
Tuesday, January 01 2013, 7:43AM
“14 bottles of Budweiser. One classy woman that.”