Redditch man racially abuses woman during a road rage incident

Stephen Flemming, 54, of Landor Road, clashed with criminal lawyer Sumreen Afsar at traffic lights in June last year.

He was said to have made rude gestures and used an expletive and made reference to the victim's Asian background.

Passing sentence at Shrewsbury Crown Court Judge Robin Onions said he did not believe the defendant was a racist but had said something stupid in the heat of the moment.

"Tempers do rise in these circumstances, but you braked without warning which gave a clue to your behaviour," he said.

Flemming, who is a driver for a bailiff company, was convicted of racially aggravated intentional harassment, distress or alarm following a trial last month.

He had denied the allegation.

Judge Onions ordered Flemming to complete 60 hours unpaid work and pay £2,800 costs and a further £250 in compensation for Mrs Afsar's injured feelings.

During the trial the court heard that Mrs Afsar's Mercedes was stopped behind Flemming's Rover at traffic lights in Studley Road.

She told the jury she had used her horn when the defendant did not move away as the lights changed to green.

When it did pull away the Rover travelled a short distance before braking and Mrs Afsar said that Flemming gave the V-sign with his left hand.

She said the defendant drove away, but again "braked harshly" and put his right arm out of the car window with the V-sign.

Mrs Afsar said she was then right behind Flemming's car and heard the racial abuse before the defendant drove off.

She said she was "very shocked" and had been scared and thought that the driver might attack her.

She denied she was angry because she was being delayed.

Flemming had claimed that the victim "blasted" her horn and had been tail-gating his vehicle as he drove away from the lights.

He denied having made any rude gestures, swearing or making any racial comments.

Miss Sarah Cooper, for Flemming, said her client had been involved in a loss of temper and a short outburst of anger.