A racist man refused to get in a taxi because the car was being driven by a Muslim.

Richard Nolan shouted at the man to "go back to your own country, you c Muslim" and hollered that Muslims were "taking over" and would kill their children.

Nolan, who was on a night out to celebrate his birthday, was jailed for six months after a judge branded his behaviour "disgusting", KentLive reports.

When he was arrested the 43-year-old told police he had a right to refuse a taxi based on the driver's religion, as he didn't want his money going to Islam.

Nolan, who is the boss of a decorating firm, started the abuse when he was waiting at a taxi rank in Tunbridge Wells, a court heard.

After he unleashed the torrent of abuse at the taxi driver, also shouted 'You come over here and look at our women' at other drivers waiting.

The 43-year-old was undeterred when two women walking home branded him an idiot. Instead he continued with his racist tirade, telling them to read the Koran and that Muslims were 'taking over the country' and would kill their children.

Nolan, who is the boss of a decorating firm, also called the women 'n** lovers' on the night of the incident August 30 2015.

The driver of the taxi was never identified or complained to police himself but Nolan's racist comments were witnessed by another taxi driver and broadcaster Zac Daunt-Jones working at a BBC building opposite.

Both reported him and the court heard Mr Daunt-Jones told officers he was not easily offended but found the abuse to be 'vile and appalling'.

However an unrepentant Nolan told police on his arrest he had a right to air his opinions - and to refuse to use a taxi driven by a Muslim.

"He said he had asked the taxi driver if he was free and if he was a Muslim. The taxi driver indicated he was and that led to the defendant saying he didn't want to use the taxi," said prosecutor Robert De Banzie.

"He explained to the officer that it was within his rights to decline the taxi because the driver was Muslim and he didn't agree with their religion, what they teach and what was currently going on in the world with regards to their religion.

"He said he always asks whether taxi drivers are Muslim because he doesn't want his money going towards them or their religion."

Nolan, of Tunbridge Wells, denied racially aggravated harassment causing alarm or distress but was convicted after a three-day trial at Maidstone Crown Court.

Representing himself at his sentencing hearing the twice-divorced dad-of-two claimed to deeply regret his behaviour and asked for help to address his alcohol problem.

The court heard he also told a probation officer his best friend and brother-in-law were both Muslims.

But just minutes later having been told the offence was so serious he had to go to jail, Nolan sarcastically thanked the judge, stating there was no justice in the world and he was an innocent man.

A male friend in the public gallery also left court expressing his disapproval of the sentence by angrily declaring: "I'm not English anymore. He didn't say anything racist."

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