A DEFENDANT’S efforts to overcome his former drink problem impressed a judge and spared him a prison sentence.

Philip Charles Nicholas was warned he was at risk of being jailed when he appeared for sentence at Durham Crown Court, in February, for nuisance drunken offences, committed in Stanley, late on December 2.

The court heard he made racially abusive comments to an overseas-born driver, at the office of Stanley Taxis.

Penny Bottomley, prosecuting, said Nicholas told the driver he should not be in this country and said he should go back to where he came from, blaming former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher for the influx of immigrants, in the 1980s.

Miss Bottomley said he also caused some minor criminal damage at the office during the incident, which went on for some time.

Fifty-five-year-old Nicholas, of Station Road, Stanley, admitted causing an affray and criminal damage.

The court heard he has previous offences relating to drunkenness and racially-aggravated public order.

Deferring sentence for six months, Judge Christopher Prince advised Nicholas to seek help with his drinking, and to keep out of trouble in the intervening period.

Conditions of the deferment included Nicholas attending monthly reviews before Judge Prince to assess his progress.

The sentencing hearing was told he has abided by the terms of the order and sought help to overcome his drink problem.

Stuart Graham, for Nicholas, told the court: “He very much regrets his behaviour that night.

“But, in the intervening period it would appear he is very much transformed.

“He tells me he doesn’t actually bear any ill will to people from overseas, and he was at a loss why he said what he did, as he does not normally behave like this when not in drink.”

Judge Prince told Nicholas he had done “extremely well” in addressing his drunken behaviour.

The judge said his health appeared to have improved as a result as Nicholas even made a 20-mile round trip cycle ride from Stanley to Durham and back to attend one of the review hearings earlier in the year.

“You have demonstrated you have your fitness back. That trip alone demonstrates the progress you have made.

“But, behave like you did that night again and you’ll be going straight to prison.”

He imposed a six-month prison sentence suspended for two years and made a restraining order preventing Nicholas going to the taxi office, or approaching the driver, “until further order”.