Race abuse in Mansfield taxi fare row

Carla Allen-Smith, 31, of Portland Street, New Houghton, admitted using racially aggravated language when she appeared at Mansfield Magistrates Court on Thursday.

Judith Kirkham, prosecuting, said Allen-Smith was arrested near the Swan pub, on Church Street, in Mansfield, on January 16.

“She consumed quite a large amount of alcohol which led to an argument with the taxi driver,” she said.

“She was going home because she had too much to drink.”

The court heard she suffered from depression for two years, and was advised not to drink alcohol at all.

Allen-Smith claimed that the driver called her names as well.

District Judge Andrew Meachin told her: “The abuse you used was pretty awful. This man is a public servant - he doesn’t expect this to be abused in that way.”

He fined Allen-Smith £120 and ordered to pay £75 compensation to the driver and costs of £85.