Racist thug banned from taxis

Source: Evening Gazette

A RACIST thug is believed to have become the first person on Teesside to be banned from using taxis after an attack on an Asian cabbie.

Mark Brown was given a court order banning him from flagging or ordering taxis anywhere in England and Wales for a 12-month period.

The 27-year-old was charged with assault and racially aggravated harassment following an attack on a hackney driver.

Brown and his girlfriend were picked up by the 59-year-old driver Barkat Ali on Albert Road in Middlesbrough in the early evening of July 6.

During the ride an argument over payment began between the cabbie and Brown, who then assaulted and racially abused the driver.

Brown, of Wilstrop Green, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to both charges at Teesside Magistrates’ Court.

He was given a 12-month supervision order with the condition that he is banned from entering or attempting to enter any private hire or hackney cabs for that period.

He also received a fine and costs.

The order was imposed on August 21 but has now been highlighted by Cleveland Police as they begin a clampdown on racist offending.

Every taxi office will be given an A4 poster featuring Brown’s face and prohibitions placed on him while 250 playing card-sized handouts with the same information will be given to Teesside cabbies.

The posters and cards warn taxi firms not to accept him in their vehicles, and to contact police if he is seen to do so.

Sergeant Ian Sharp, from Cleveland Police’s Community Safety unit, said: “I believe this is the first ban of this type in the Cleveland area.

“Publicising this case sends out a stern message that anyone suspected of such offences are likely to be arrested, and if found guilty of such behaviour will be very firmly dealt with, which could result in a ban, together with any other punishment the courts deem appropriate.

“We and our partners will continue to clamp down on racial abuse, using every means at our disposal.”
Idrees Rashid and Sgt Ian Sharp talk to taxi driver Mohammed Ahram about Mark Brown

Police figures reveal there have been 44 incidents of verbal or racial abuse or even assaults against taxi drivers so far this year.

Idrees Rashid, from the BME Network, an organisation which advocates on behalf of race hate crime victims, said: “This is an excellent result which sends a clear message that racially motivated behaviour and violence will not be tolerated in Cleveland.

“Through partnership with Cleveland Police, Crown Prosecution Service and other partners we can make a proactive stance against this type of menace.

“A ban from using taxis should serve as warning to other would-be offenders.”

Councillor David Budd, Middlesbrough’s deputy mayor, said: “The council fully supports the decision of the court in taking a tough stance against the unacceptable behaviour shown by this passenger towards the driver concerned.

“Taxi drivers play a crucial role in the public transport system and often have to carry out their duties in difficult circumstances.

“The council will not tolerate racial abuse in any form and we will be liaising closely with representatives from the hackney carriage and private-hire trade to make them aware of the ban placed on Mr Brown.”

Brown’s ban on using any hackney or private hire cab lasts until midnight on August 20, 2010.

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