Drunken man made racist remarks towards police officer

5:20pm Tuesday 15th July 2008

A DRUNKEN man racially abused one of the police officers arresting him, a court was told.

Martin Hayward admitted a racially aggravated public order offence after he made offensive remarks towards an Asian police officer on the Sabrina Bridge in Worcester.

Hayward, aged 27, of Randwick Drive, Warndon, Worcester, also admitted being drunk and disorderly when he appeared before magistrates in Worcester yesterday. Officers arrested Hayward shortly before 6pm on Thursday, June 12 at the footbridge over the Severn between Worcester Racecourse and Hylton Road.

Kiernan Cunningham, prosecuting, said both the police officer and the ambulance service had become concerned for Hayward’s welfare because he was ‘threatening to throw himself from the bridge’.

He added: “He was aggressive, clearly agitated and under the influence of drink at that time.”

As officers struggled to arrest Hayward he directed racially offensive language at Sgt Johal and swore at him.

Mr Cunningham said that while in the police van he continued to ‘kick and bang’ as he was taken to Worcester police station.

The court heard how jobless Hayward, who had been homeless for the past 15 years, had been celebrating getting his first home by drinking two three litre bottles of strong cider.

During interview Hayward said he wished to apologise to the officer concerned and did not consider himself to be racist.

Hayward has 65 previous convictions, many of them drink-related and two of them also having a racial element.

Emma Smith, defending, said Hayward was from a troubled background and had been in the care system since he was three weeks old before he was adopted by a family member.

She said he had witnessed domestic violence and left home at the age of 16.

She added: “He has a long history of self-harm and alcohol abuse.”

Sue Perry, chairman of the magistrates bench, said: “We have read a sorry tale about your previous convictions “The bench cannot allow the police of Worcester to be abused in the way you abused Sgt Johal.”

The bench ordered Hayward to pay £50 in compensation to Sgt Johal.

No order was made for costs.

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