Man arrested for racially abusing Blackpool cabbie

Blackpool, EN — Former shop worker Travis Phipps pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault against a cabbie when he appeared before magistrates at Blackpool.

Prosecutor Pam Smith states that the incident happened around 2am last April 20 in Dickson Road. The altercation allegedly started when the taxi driver refused to take the 36-year-old as a fare because he could not pay up-front.

When Mr. Phipps repeatedly refused to get out of the cab, the cabbie called for the police. That was when Mr. Phipps made race-hate remarks and punching the driver twice in the face.

Furthermore, Mr. Phipps argued that he was not racist. His behavior was out of character and he believed his drink had been spiked. Moreover, he revealed in an interview that he drunk six vodkas and Cokes prior to the incident.

He claims to have no recollection of events since leaving the Sapphire Bar.

A police officer testified that he saw him banging his head on a window that night. Moreover, he described him as behaving in an entirely strange fashion.

Defense attorney Stephen Duffy said his client was acting out of character.

The court sentenced Mr. Phipps to a 12-month community order with up to 20 days of rehabilitation to be supervised by the probation service. Furthermore, he would do 200 hours of unpaid work for the community, and pay £100 compensation with £85 costs plus £85 victim’s surcharge.