builder who racially abused a Harrogate cabbie was told by the town's magistrates that they were determined to protect those serving the public from "particularly nasty" offences like his.
Gavin Roberts pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour and also admitted damaging Alfonso Gonzalez's VW Passat taxi by kicking it.

Prosecutor Waseem Raja said it had been 11.30pm on February 23 when 44-year-old Roberts climbed into the rear of a cab on a rank in Station Parade, Harrogate, asked to be taken to Knaresborough and then began abusing the driver.

Mr Raja said Roberts' outburst had included a suggestion that he would kill foreigners and Mr Gonzalez had stopped his taxi and told him to get out.

When he did he kicked the VW, walked back to the rank and tried to hire another cab but witnesses detained him until police arrived.

When interviewed, Roberts of Whincup Avenue, Knaresborough, said he could not remember everything because he had been drunk, but agreed he may have been abusive.

In mitigation Geoffrey Boothby said Roberts had been drinking most of the day. He had tried to engage the taxi driver in conversation but felt he was ignored.

Mr Boothby said Roberts wanted to apologise to Mr Gonzalez and express regret.

He was given a 12-month community order with probation supervision and measures to address alcohol misuse and racial awareness.

He was also told to pay Mr Gonzalez £345.40 for damages and loss of earnings as well as £150 for his "hurt feelings".

Costs of £60 were also imposed.

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