Devon equality officer fined for punching man who racially abused him
A council race equality officer who punched a man for making "monkey noises" as he drove past in his car, has been fined.
Anderson Jones, 49, stopped his car and punched one of the men, Exeter Magistrates' Court heard.
Jones, from Exeter, admitted two charges of common assault and was fined a total of £325 including costs.
District Judge Stephen Nicholls did not award the complainant, named as Callum Curtis, any compensation.
Reacted to language
He told Jones: "I accept you found yourself the victim of offensive language used against you."
The court heard that the men were making "monkey noises" and Jones said he heard one of them say: "Is he Jamaican?"
Jones punched one of the men in the back of the head.
He then drove off but saw them again soon afterwards, stopped his car and again confronted the, the court heard.
Jones then punched the same man in the mouth leaving him with a bloodied lip, the court heard.
Defence lawyer Peter Seigne said Jones had reacted to "the language used against him" and regretted his behaviour.
"He is sorry and should have dealt with matters in a different way," he said.