Motorist shouted threats at cabbie (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Motorist shouted threats at cabbie

11:20am Friday 27th June 2008 in News By Telegraph newsdesk

A 41-Year-old man got out of his car and shouted racist abuse at an Asian taxi driver and punched his window because he believed had cut him up at the lights.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Ian Glover followed the taxi and shouted more racial abuse after following the taxi further up the road.

Glover, of Whitendale Crescent, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards Mohammed Khalil.

He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said Mr Khalil was driving from Darwen Street towards Grimshaw Park when he found himself in the wrong lane.

“He noticed a gap in the traffic and moved across,” said Mrs White.

“The defendant didn’t seem to think this was a correct manoeuvre because he started sounding his horn and flashing his lights.

“When the two vehicles stopped at the next traffic lights Glover got out and thumped the driver’s window of the taxi and began to shout racist abuse.”

Mr Khalil drove off and pulled up outside a funeral directors where Glover again pulled alongside and got out of his car.

“He shouted more racist abuse before eventually driving off leaving Mr Khall shocked by what had happened,” said Mrs White.

Deborah Morgan, defending, said her client very deeply regretted the incident.

She said Glover claimed the taxi pulled in front of him forcing him to slam on his brakes.

“He accepts making some extremely unpleasant comments but denies being a racist,” said Miss Morgan.

“His next door neighbours are Asian and he considers them to be good friends.”