Chorley Taxi Passenger Pleads Guilty to Racial Abuse

A passenger has pleaded guilty after being recorded racially abusing a taxi driver in Chorley. The incident took place on 12 May 2024, at 1:30 am, when the driver picked up two male passengers from the Chorley taxi rank. Initially, they requested to go to Houghton but later changed their destination to Bolton. The driver informed them it was in the opposite direction, but they assured him they would pay.

Upon arrival in Bolton, the driver requested a 75-pound fare, prompting one of the passengers to launch into racial and religious abuse. The driver warned him multiple times that he was being recorded and would be reported to the police, but the passenger continued. Similar incidents have been reported, such as a taxi driver racially assaulted in Bournemouth, highlighting the challenges faced by cab drivers across the UK.

Recorded Evidence and Prosecution

The entire exchange was captured on the vehicle’s recording system and later provided to the police. The passenger made several offensive remarks, including:

The passenger stated:

"Go to your hajj."

"Go and pray to your f****ng god."

"Go back home."

"F****ng temples everywhere, breeding us out."

Following an investigation, police prosecuted the passenger using the video evidence. He pleaded guilty and is set to be sentenced in April 2025.

The case highlights ongoing issues of racial abuse faced by taxi drivers in the UK. Authorities continue to encourage reporting such incidents to ensure offenders face justice.