Huddersfield cabbie racially abused and spat at after challenging customer over an unpaid fare

A Huddersfield cabbie was racially abused and spat at after he challenged a customer over an unpaid fare.

20 year old McCauley Baines of Blagden Lane in Newsome lost his temper after the cab driver claimed that he had failed to pay for a previous journey.

Alex Bozman prosecuting told Kirklees Magistrates Court that Baines had called for a cab from Huddersfield Taxis on the afternoon of 18 March.

Both Baines and a female were then picked up from the Aldi car park in Beck Road. 

After the accused loaded shopping into the boot of the cab he got into the back seat of the vehicle, however the cabbie recognised him as somebody who had not paid for a previous journey. The cabbie then challenged him about the previous journey.

Mr Bozman went on to explain that Baines responded to the challenge from the cabbie by swearing at him, calling him a 'f****** P***'.” 

Baines was then told by the cabbie to get  out of the vehicle, who also got out to inspect his vehicle, and Baines spat in the driver's face. 

Baines went to retrieve his wallet, which he had left in the vehicle but was prevented from doing so by the driver, who subsequently called the police.

Sonia Kidd, mitigating, told the court that Baines was disgusted with himself, because of his Asian heritage and the fact that he had been the target of racial abuse himself in the past.

The Examiner Live reported Baines, who pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault, was handed down a community order by bench chairwoman Julie Houston, which included 25 rehabilitation activity days focusing on problem solving and anger management, as well as beeing ordered to  comply with a four week curfew between the hours of 7pm and 7am.

He was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to his victim plus £85 court costs and £85 victim surcharge.

Image Source: Public Domain Pictures