Hartlepool street fight suspect racially abused police officer who drew Taser

Lee Hudson ignored demands by police for him to stop and unleashed a volley of racial verbal abuse at the officer.

Teesside Magistrates’ Court heard police responded to a report of a man with a knife fighting on Hartlepool’s Central Estate in broad daylight on November 20 last year.

Prosecutor Lynn Dalton said: "He was verbally abusive when he eventually stopped.”

In a statement read in court, the police officer concerned said he expected to receive verbal abuse in his job but would not tolerate racial slurs.

He said: "I’m very proud of my heritage. I shouldn’t have to feel embarrassed about who I am or where I come from.”

Hudson, of Bruce Crescent, Hartlepool, had been arrested just weeks earlier for drug driving.

He was found to be over the legal limit for cannabis after police pulled him over when he was seen driving a Ford Transit Connect at speed on Winterbottom Avenue on September 4.

He failed a roadside test and further blood test at the police station where he also gave a false name when he was being booked in.

Hudson pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, drug driving and obstructing a police officer.

Representing himself in court he said: “I’m disgusted at myself.”

District Judge Anna Moran said the officer he racially abused was “simply doing his job” and ordered Hudson to pay £100 compensation.

He was also disqualified from driving for a year, given 250 hours of unpaid work and handed a two-year community order.