A Warminster man who racially-abused a police officer has been ordered to pay £200 compensation and handed a community order.
Thomas Feltham, 27, of Market Place, Warminster, had been arrested for a separate offence in June of this year and was being transported to custody, when he started shouting racist insults at one of the attending police officers.
He was in the back of a police van when he shouted the insults and abuse, which included threats towards the officer’s family.
Feltham appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court last Thursday (21 October) and pleaded guilty to one count of racially-aggravated harassment towards a police officer.
He was given a community order, which included an unpaid work requirement, and was ordered to pay £200 compensation and a victim surcharge.
Feltham was also fined a total of £240 and banned from the roads for 12 months for two drug driving charges, and one count of possession of Class B drugs, relating to offences earlier in the year.
Inspector Dean Knight said: “This type of foul, offensive racist abuse will not be tolerated and people should be aware that those who engage in this sort of unacceptable behaviour will be arrested, charged and taken to court for these offences.
“Our officers work incredibly hard, risking their own safety to protect the public, and we need to make it clear that we will do everything we can to protect them from this sort of disgusting abuse.”
