RACIST COACH JAILED
Dad jailed after video went on social media
RACIST dad Samuel Egerton hurled a torrent of vile abuse at a taxi driver before stealing his takings.
A video of the disgraceful slurs aimed at the terrified cabbie then went viral on social media.
But last week it was football coach Egerton who was sobbing as he was jailed for what he did at Stoke-on-trent Crown Court.
The 24-year-old took an Auto Cab taxi from Cheadle to Cheddleton at 2.30am on August 5, 2019. He haggled over the price and paid £13 before telling the cabbie: “I am British. You better look after me, I am white”.
He went on to quiz his victim about his religion and being a Muslim.
The court heard Egerton filmed his abuse towards the cabbie, chanted ‘England till we die’ and called the driver a homophobic and racist slur before demanding his money back and threatening to smash his head in and take his taxi.
The driver gave Egerton £19 before pressing an alarm to his base.
His passenger realised what was happening and pulled on the handbrake, causing the car to swerve before coming to a stop. He got out and ran off. Now Egerton has been jailed for three years.
Prosecutor Steven Bailey told the court: “The defendant had drunk about a litre of vodka and got in the front passenger seat. He paid the fare but was haggling and the driver let him off £2 to keep the peace.
“The driver put the money in his shirt pockets and started to drive. The defendant continued to be vile and racist. The driver was doing 25mph when the defendant pulled on the handbrake and stopped the car, causing it to swerve.”
The next day Egerton told a friend what he had done. Staffordshire Police initially assessed the case as being suitable for a community resolution. But the video of the incident was put on social media and Egerton was charged.
In a victim statement, the driver said the incident had shaken his confidence. He is now terrified of working nights.
Egerton, of Grange Road, Cheddleton, pleaded guilty to robbery and racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence.
Stuart Muldoon, mitigating, said the offences were committed when Egerton had separated from his partner and he was drinking to excess.
Mr Muldoon said: “His life was spiralling out of control as a result of the emotional turmoil he was in. There were concerns about his mental health. He is genuinely remorseful, ashamed and disgusted with what the video shows. He has not re-offended. If he goes to custody he will lose his employment.”
He added that Egerton is a responsible father to his daughter, and coaches Milton United Under-14s football team.
Mr Muldoon asked Judge Paul Glenn to consider suspending the sentence, saying there was a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, strong personal mitigation and immediate custody would have a significant impact on Egerton’s daughter.
But Judge Glenn said: “These are deeply unpleasant offences. The victim’s occupation as a taxi driver makes him vulnerable to the sort of behaviour you engaged in.
“I accept you are remorseful and ashamed and you ought to be. I accept it was spontaneous.
“It is so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence is appropriate. It has to contain an element of deterrent.”
Detective Constable Jon Snape, of CID North, said: “Samuel Egerton subjected the taxi driver to a terrifying ordeal. He demanded cash from the driver, was racially abusive and threatened him.
“Thankfully, the driver was not harmed, but he did steal cash from him. He has now received a custodial sentence for his actions.”