Hereford pensioner in court after parking row boiled over

Graham Cowley entered a guilty plea to one count of using racially aggravated threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford in March.

The offence had taken place against the background of a neighbour dispute, prosecutor Eleanor Peart said.

Cowley had spotted the victim on April 3 last year, the court heard, and said "oh, there's black Jack" and "you are black Jack" a number of times.

"The complainant is white British but of Portuguese heritage," Miss Peart said.

The court heard that the victim had to google the phrase to find out what it meant.

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Marilena Di Vitantonio, for Cowley, said he had fully admitted the offence in interview.

"It was considered that this could be eligible for a caution, but that was not possible and I anticipate that was due to the racial element," Miss Di Vitantonio said.

"The issue started over parking. His late wife was unwell and the space needed for the ambulance was being blocked by this man. He asked them to move and was extremely distressed.

"He said it was out of sheer anger and frustration."

Cowley, of Waterfield Road, Hereford, was fined £327 and received a two-year restraining order. He was also ordered to pay prosecution costs of £185 and a £34 victim surcharge.