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Drunk Ramon Verdaguer's racist tirade at Canterbury cabbie lands him in jail

Drunken Ramon Verdaguer has been jailed for attacking a taxi driver
Drunken Ramon Verdaguer has been jailed for attacking a taxi driver

A drug-taking drunk who poured out a torrent of racial abuse against a policeman and cabbie claimed he isn't racist - because he is Muslim and has a Pakistani half-brother.

After launching his vile tirade against the driver in Canterbury on New Year's Eve, Ramon Verdaguer - who has now been jailed for nine months - was taken to the city's police station where he stripped naked and urinated on the floor.

The 34-year-old's night of mayhem began when Walizadeh Borhaneddin refused to let him and his female companion into his taxi because he thought they were too drunk.

Prosecutor Vivian Walter told Canterbury Crown Court: "The woman tried to open the door but the taxi driver told her, 'Sorry I can't pick you up you are drunk. She replied: 'You’re joking!'

"He thinks one of the reasons was he didn't have his medication at the time and may not have been himself..." - Paul Hogben, defending

"It was then that Verdaguer came up to the driver and shouted, something like: 'He's a Paki! Go back to your country!' before trying to lead the woman away."

But the boozed-up woman continued shouting "open the door" and started hitting the window at the back of the cab.

Ms Walter said the woman, who was wearing a ring, eventually smashed the window as the taxi driver said he was going to phone the police.

Verdaguer, of Old Park Avenue, Canterbury, punched Mr Borhaneddin in the face and stomach before trying to grab his mobile phone to stop him calling police.

Other taxi drivers then went to their colleague’s aid until police arrived and took him to the cells.

"He became abusive with a constant flow of verbal abuse aimed at the officer," Ms Walter added.

Verdaguer then stripped naked in his cell and urinated on the floor. At 3.40am, he shouted: "I hate those Pakis."

Drunken thug Ramon Verdaguer, seen here suffering from the effects of drink, has been jailed for attacking a taxi driver
Drunken thug Ramon Verdaguer, seen here suffering from the effects of drink, has been jailed for attacking a taxi driver

Ms Walter told the judge: "The officer is from a mixed-race background and believed the abuse was aimed at him. That continued for at least another quarter-of-an-hour."

When he was interviewed, Verdaguer denied struggling with the taxi driver, claiming he pushed him away from his female friend to prevent him from hurting her.

Verdaguer, who had snorted cocaine on the night, then accused the PC of being on a power trip but denied being a racist - claiming he was a Muslim with a half-brother from Pakistan.

Paul Hogben, defending, said Verdaguer suffers from epilepsy and takes medication for the condition.

"The young lady he was with was his carer," Mr Hogben said. "She was intoxicated and broke the car window. He had been drinking but wasn't out of control and was trying to look after her when she got into the scrap."

The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court
The case was heard at Canterbury Crown Court

He said Verdaguer has eight brothers, one of whom is from Pakistan, adding: "He wants to tell your honour that he is not racist. He says he has converted to being a Muslim.

"He just doesn't understand where that torrent of abuse came from. He thinks one of the reasons was he didn't have his medication at the time and may not have been himself."

Verdaguer, who now lives in Carlisle, admitted two charges of racially aggravated assault.

Jailing him for nine months, Judge Adele Williams said: "What you did that night is totally and completely unacceptable behaviour. It was extremely offensive and racism and will not be tolerated by UK courts."

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