Pensioner guilty of racially abusing councillor

12:51pm Friday 5th September 2008

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A PENSIONER who racially abused a county councillor in a row over parking has walked free from court Peter Driver, 74, launched a tirade at Durham South councillor and magistrate Abiodun Williams - known as Mac - because he thought he had blocked access to his garage.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that on October 2 last year Mr Williams, whose father was Nigerian, was attending a community partnership meeting at the community centre in Bowburn.

Driver, whose home is near the community centre, became angry when Mr Williams parked his car outside his garage. Mr Williams went into the meeting but became aware that someone outside was unhappy about where he had parked his car.

When Mr Williams went outside, Driver, of Jones Court, Bowburn, told him to move his car and used racially insulting language.

Mr Williams thought he was going to be physically attacked by an "agitated" Driver, the court heard.

Driver, who had been expected to plead not guilty, admitted racially aggravated harassment, and was given a conditional discharge for two years and ordered to pay £300 prosecution court costs.

The court heard Mr Williams described feeling "belittled".

Michael Graham, prosecuting, said: "He felt like crying as he suffered a great deal of racial abuse in the past which he had battled to overcome."

Andrew Finlay, mitigating, said: "He has reached 74 years without an involvement with the court at all. It all boiled up and he said what he said which he clearly regrets."

Recorder David Hatton said that Driver, who came into court with the aid of two walking sticks and wore a hearing aid, could have been facing a custodial sentence.

He said: "If you were a younger man, I would be considering very seriously whether a sentence of imprisonment was appropriate."