White van driver branded businesswoman a ‘black b***h’ after clipping her wing mirror

Businesswoman Althea Carrington was driving home from work in her BMW when James Platt’s Ford Transit van clipped her wing mirror 

An businesswoman was berated for having a luxury car and branded a ‘black b***h’ by a white van man after they became embroiled in a road rage row.

Coffee house boss Althea Carrington, 36, had been driving home from work along a country lane in her BMW when James Platt’s Ford Transit van clipped her wing mirror on a humpback bridge.

But when the mother of two attempted to exchange details with 33-year old Platt he wrongly blamed her for the collision and told her: ‘Get back in your big posh car and go home. 

‘I don’t even know why you are here you black b***h.’

Platt then drove his vehicle straight at Mrs Carrington forcing her to jump out of the way to avoid being run down, a court heard.

He was arrested later after the victim – whose 51-year old husband Robert is listed as director of various companies called police. 

In a statement she said: ‘This incident left me upset that my race had been referred to in this way.’

At Stockport Magistrates Court, Platt a railway engineer from Crewe, Cheshire, was ordered to pay Mrs Carrington £100 compensation after admitted using racially aggravated language, common assault and failing to stop after an accident. 

Platt wrongly blamed her for the collision and told her: 'Get back in your big posh car and go home. I don't even know why you are here you black b***h'

Platt wrongly blamed her for the collision and told her: ‘Get back in your big posh car and go home. I don’t even know why you are here you black b***h’

He claimed the incident occurred after he split up with his girlfriend.

The incident took place on September 3 last year after Mrs Carrington had finished work at her artisan coffee shop in Knutsford, Cheshire.

Customers at the establishment have included former Chancellor George Osborne.

She was returning home to Bowdon, near Altrincham when she encountered Platt who had just attended a motor racing meeting with friends.

Mr Robin Lynch prosecuting said: ‘On the lane there is a small bridge and the road narrows. 

Platt initially denied wrongdoing but pleaded guilty on the day of his trial when Mrs Carrington was due to give evidence behind screens

Platt initially denied wrongdoing but pleaded guilty on the day of his trial when Mrs Carrington was due to give evidence behind screens

Platt's lawyer Stuart Flood said in mitigation: 'The defendant is 33 years of age and has recently separated from his partner He is a man in full time employment with National Rail and has worked with them for seven years'

He was also ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work pay £500 costs and his licence was endorsed with five penalty points

Platt’s lawyer Stuart Flood said in mitigation: ‘The defendant is 33 years of age and has recently separated from his partner He is a man in full time employment with National Rail and has worked with them for seven years’

‘She noticed a van coming from the opposite direction so pulled over. But as the van passed, it collided with the wing mirror of her car.

‘She used her horn to signal for the driver to stop and he pulled the vehicle around and got out.

‘She asked to exchange details but the defendant started saying it was the aggrieved who had hit his van. He got back into his vehicle and drove off.

‘She wasn’t pleased and so began to follow the van and flashed her lights causing the van to break harshly and the aggrieved had to swerve. 

‘The van driver got out of the van and came round the back.

‘She again asked to exchange details and he replied saying: ‘Get back in your big posh car and go home. 

‘I don’t even know why you are here you black b***h.’

‘He then got back into the car and drove at her and she had to jump out of the way to avoid the vehicle. The complainant got back into her vehicle and phoned the police.

‘When the defendant was arrested he told police that he didn’t use any racist language and didn’t drive in her direction. But in a victim statement, Mrs Carrington said the incident had left her upset that her race had been referred to in this way.’

In a statement Mrs Carrington said: 'This incident left me upset that my race had been referred to in this way'

In a statement Mrs Carrington said: ‘This incident left me upset that my race had been referred to in this way’

Mrs Carrington returning home to Bowdon, near Altrincham when she encountered Platt who had just attended a motor racing meeting with friends

Mrs Carrington returning home to Bowdon, near Altrincham when she encountered Platt who had just attended a motor racing meeting with friends

Platt initially denied wrongdoing but pleaded guilty on the day of his trial when Mrs Carrington was due to give evidence behind screens.

He was also ordered to complete 140 hours of unpaid work pay £500 costs and his licence was endorsed with five penalty points.

Platt’s lawyer Stuart Flood said in mitigation: ‘The defendant is 33 years of age and has recently separated from his partner. He is a man in full time employment with National Rail and has worked with them for seven years.

‘He had been travelling with some friends who had been following when they were coming home from a racing track.

She was returning home to Bowdon, near Altrincham when she encountered Platt on a humpback bridge, after he had attended a motor racing meeting with friends

She was returning home to Bowdon, near Altrincham when she encountered Platt on a humpback bridge, after he had attended a motor racing meeting with friends

‘He should have provided the details when he was asked and he accepted that the language was used for which he apologies to the court and the complainant.

‘Dashcam footage shows he was followed by the lady who can be seen shouting at him. That is when he responds in the verbal tones that he did.

‘There was no physical contact, it was on a reckless basis not an intentional one that she had to jump out of the way of his vehicle.

‘He regrets what happened that day and wants to apologise. He has never been in trouble and has a clean driving license.’

But passing sentencing JP Jill Hodges told Platt: : ‘It is very disappointing when someone who had never been before the courts finds themselves with a criminal record.

‘We have listened to everything that has been said – this was quite an unpleasant incident and one we hope you have reflected on and won’t occur again.’ 



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