Man who racially abused Oxford City Council worker fined

Jonathan Clarke admitted racially abusing the council employee

A man who racially abused a council employee over the phone has been fined.

Jonathan Clarke, 42, racially abused the man who worked in Oxford City Council's contact centre after he called it for help on 2 July 2021.

He was annoyed because he felt the authority was not helping him enough to solve a problem with his neighbours.

Clarke, of Cumberland Road, Oxford, was fined £120 at the city's magistrates' court. He will pay the council employee £75 in compensation.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to sending an offensive, indecent, obscene or menacing message by a public communication network at the same court on 24 May.

"We aim to treat all of our customers fairly, politely and with respect at all times and we expect the same in return," an Oxford City Council spokesperson said.

"We will not tolerate any form of abuse against our staff and will take action to protect them where needed."