Racist name claim in row over taxi fare

Kear McCann, aged 27, and his 16-year-old cousin were picked up in the early hours of Boxing Day from a pub by driver Mohammed Yasin.

They were taken to his Streetly taxi base because of the trouble. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard there was an argument during the journey over the amount of money paid to the 42-year-old driver. Mr Mark Phillips, prosecuting, said the passengers asked to be taken to Kingstanding.

"The driver believed he was given £15. The defendant believed he had paid him £20. There was an argument about the outstanding £5. It seems that during the journey there was swearing towards the complainant and it seems that at some stage the defendant climbed into the front passenger seat of the vehicle."

He said the driver was also called a racist name by the defendant and that the victim had given up taxi driving as a result of the incident. Police arrested McCann and he had a small amount of cocaine on him. Mr Phillips said the defendant was put in a police van, but due to his aggressive behaviour officers had to restrain him.

Mr Timothy Pole, defending, said McCann's behaviour had been 'out of character'.

McCann admitted possession of cocaine and affray.

For affray he was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 65 hours unpaid work and supervision for nine months, with a concurrent community order for possession.

Mr Recorder Nicholas Cartwright also ordered McCann, of Elswick Road, Kingstanding, to pay Mr Yasin £250 compensation for the insult and fear caused to him. He was also ordered to pay surcharge and £750 costs.

A charge of attempted robbery and of having an offensive weapon were withdrawn at Monday's hearing.