A Benwell man hurled vile racist abuse at a police officer after he turned up at his address following reports of a fight.
Michael Ekong racially abused a police officer, who is originally from Trinidad and Tobago, during a nasty incident on May 26, 2021. The officer, who had turned up to his address with other colleagues, felt personally "targeted" and "attacked" by Ekong, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
The 67-year-old appeared at the court on Monday to be sentenced for racially aggravated harassment. He had pleaded guilty to the offence.
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The court heard that officers attended the defendant's home on St James' Crescent, Benwell, following reports of a fight, with one person being seen going into Ekong's home. One of the officers who attended the scene was Selwyn St-Bernard, a former international rugby player who was born in the Caribbean and has served as a Northumbria Police officer since 2009.
Glenn Gatland, prosecuting, said: "The defendant came to his door, was shirtless, and was unsteady on his feet and speaking in a raised voice. Officers could smell drink and concluded he was drunk. He came out of his house shouting 'you're harassing me' to the police officers."
It was then that Ekong began swearing at the officers before turning his attention to officer St-Bernard and started spurting vile racist abuse. Mr Gatland said the officer believed Ekong was directing the abuse at him and he was soon arrested.
When interviewed, Ekong denied making racist comments and said he was of "mixed heritage" himself. He also claimed the officers "fabricated the accusations". However, he later admitted the offence.
In a victim statement, officer St-Bernard said: "I feel I've been targeted because of my race and that he was trying to empower himself by using racist language. He made an attack on my appearance and the way I speak and sound. I hope he will learn from this incident."
Jamie Adams, defending Ekong, said he suffers from paranoid schizophrenia and "constantly finds threats where there are none". He said: "It is part of his condition...he's not a man who is racially hating anybody." Mr Adams added Ekong is a low risk offender who "seems to be stable at the moment".
Judge Stephen Earl handed Ekong - who had 13 previous convictions for 17 offences - an 18 month community order and ordered him to undertake up to 15 rehabilitation days. He must also pay £290.
