Man who racially abused taxi driver is fined by magistrates

Andrew Pinches admitted racially aggravated common assault when he appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court.

Mark Hambling, prosecuting, said the 44-year-old had got into a taxi at 6.30pm on June 21 in Worcester asking for a lift to where he was living in Yew Tree Lane, Fernhill Heath, near Worcester.

The prosecutor said it was a simple offence which had taken place in Fernhill Heath, Pinches using a racist slur towards the driver.

FINED: Andrew Pinches has been fined by magistrates (Image: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)

Mr Hambling asked for magistrates to give Pinches a more severe sentence, to reflect the racial element of the offence. 

Paul Stanley, defending, said Pinches had been drinking "a lot" that day before he committed the crime. 

Mr Stanley explained Pinches had asked the driver to stop in Fernhill Heath so he could withdraw money from a cashpoint - but had not been able to withdraw any. 

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Mr Stanley said, after returning to the driver and explaining to him he couldn't pay him the fee, Pinches then made the racist comment and ran off. 

"He can't remember saying it," Mr Stanley said. 

"He accepts what the injured party has said.

"He regrets what he did.

"This was a quick incident, he made regrettable comments and ran away."

COURT: Andrew Pinches appeared at Worcester Magistrates Court

The solicitor said Pinches has been staying at his sister's address in Droitwich, having had periods of homelessness in the summer. 

Mr Stanley added Pinches had been a builder but is currently out of work due to having had a trapped nerve in his shoulder.

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Richard Poppleton, chairman of the magistrates bench, said they had taken into account his early guilty plea but had considered the aggravating factor of having previous convictions - deciding they could deal with the matter by giving Pinches a financial penalty. 

Pinches was fined £138, and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £55 and costs of £185. 

Pinches was told to pay the total, £378, at a rate of £10 per week.

The case was heard on Thursday, (November 10).