Suspected Sunderland drink-driver racially abused police officer - calling him a 'monkey' and 'Muhammad Ali' and saying 'I would hang you'

Anthony Scott, 32, of Murray Avenue, Houghton, also and asked him “are you black or are you white?’, South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court heard.

And when arrested and taken to a police station, Scott told him “I would hang you”, it was said.

He then refused to undergo a breath test, even barging past officers and insisting on going back to his cell.

His behaviour has now been labelled as “disgraceful” by a district judge.

The court heard how police found an opened beer can in the drinks holder of his motor and several empty cans in the vehicle on Saturday, December 7.

Scott admitted charges of racially aggravated harassment and failing to provide a specimen for analysis when he appeared in court.

Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said: “In the early hours of the morning, police officers have stopped the defendant when driving.

“He was driving quite erratically, that’s why the police pulled him over.

“They could see that there was one open can of lager in the cup holder and several empty cans near the passenger seat.

“He became racially abusive to one officer and says, ‘Are you black or are you white?’

“He called him a black **** and called him Muhammad Ali. He also said, ‘Are you talking about your colleague? He’s a monkey’.

“He is cautioned and arrested and taken to the police station. While there, he says, ‘They don’t like blacks in America, they hang (them)’. He said, ‘I would hang you’.

“The defendant barges past officers and wants to go back to the cell.”

Ms Burgess said attempts to get Scott to take the Camic breath test procedure failed and he was duly charged with failing to provide a specimen.

District Judge Paul Currer adjourned the hearing for reports until Friday, April 17, but told Scott his had been “quite disgraceful behaviour”.