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A MAN is racially abusing a Worcester worker because he was stealing televisions.
Chigozie Edmunds, who does not live anywhere but has an address in Chestnut Grange, Offenham, told staff: “I’m going to find out where you live and cut you off” after making racist comments to her.
Victim Matthew Hughes told Worcester Magistrates’ Court he was “shaking” after Edmunds made the comments when confronting him about his theft.
The 31-year-old previously pleaded guilty to two counts of theft by possession and driving without a license and insurance.
He appeared in court on Monday (November 28) facing charges of causing distress, anxiety and distress.
BEST CASE: Chigozie Edmunds is waiting to learn his future (Photo: Sam Greenway/Newsquest)
Colin Phillips, prosecuting, told the court Edmunds drove to the Bilford Road Recycling Center in Worcester on June 12.
Magistrates watched on CCTV of Edmunds pulling up next to a container full of televisions ready for recycling, removing them and putting them in his car.
In the witness stand Mr Hughes said: “I told him to hit his hook.
“He threatened to cut me. I was very upset and hurt.”
In cross-examination Mark Turnbull, defending Edmunds, insisted the victim gave the accused a middle finger gesture – Mr Hughes said it was his reaction after hearing Edmunds’ comments.
“I have the right to work in a safe environment and to protect the public,” added Mr Hughes.
Giving evidence, Edmunds told magistrates he would “never” make a racist rumor and denied threatening to cut Mr Hughes off.
But the magistrates had to warn Edmunds for not complying with the rules in answering questions.
And finally they rejected his denial as they found Edmunds guilty.
At the end of the case, the prosecutor said that Edmonds will be sentenced for driving the BMW, which was used in the theft, even without a license or insurance.
He added that Edmunds had also recently been convicted of dangerous driving.
Mr Turnbull said these issues could be dealt with through fines as he said discrimination was “one word” and not a serious offence.
In the theft cases, the lawyer said that Edmunds struggled to understand that taking this advice was a criminal offence.
READ MORE: Man steals TV from illegal tips at waste and recycling centres
READ MORE: Recent cases heard at Worcester Magistrates’ Court
“He would take televisions to fix them up, give them to people who were in dire financial straits,” Mr Turnbull said.
“It wasn’t complicated.”
Sarah Amos, chair of the magistrate’s bench, told Edmunds they would suspend sentencing on the “all-round” report against him.
The chairman added his previous conditional bail – with one condition not to enter any waste and recycling center in Worcestershire – will continue.
Edmunds was told to return to court for sentencing on December 19th.
- Edmunds had previously denied 14 other theft charges by receiving, all televisions from tips.
The television is alleged to have been stolen from councils in Worcester, Stourport, Pershore and Malvern between March 16 and 14 this year.
But on Monday magistrates dropped those charges following a request from the prosecution.
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