Bike rider fined for racially abusing motorist thought he did "nothing wrong"

A Reading man, who has been fined more than £1,500 for spitting at and racially abusing a motorist while on his bike, claimed that he did "nothing wrong".

Justin Broughton, 37, was involved in an incident with a 38-year-old man on the Oxford Road in the town on February 18. He wasn't charged until March 19 and pleaded not guilty at Reading Magistrates Court on July 8.

The Reading Chronicle reports that Broughton spat at the motorist's vehicle before launching a tirade of racial abuse.

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A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said: “On 18 February at around 4pm in Oxford Road, Reading, Broughton was on a pedal cycle and was involved in an altercation with the 38-year-old driver of a car."

“Mr Broughton spat at the victim’s car and used racially abusive language towards him.

“We take racially aggravated offences like this very seriously and will investigate allegations thoroughly and support victims throughout.

“I hope that this conviction, following a “not guilty” plea, will act as a deterrent to people like Mr Broughton, who thought there was nothing wrong with racially abusing a man and spitting at his car.”

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Broughton was fined £775, ordered to pay £250 in compensation, £500 in court costs and a £50 victim surcharge.