Actor tried to stop attack on taxi driver

Sep 9 2008 by Chloe Griffiths, Liverpool Daily Post

A BROTHER and sister racially assaulted a taxi driver over a £6 fare on a night out with a former Casualty actor, a court has heard.

Ian and Kirsten Gofton were out drinking with Elyes Gabel, who played Dr Gupreet "Guppy" Sandhu in the BBC medical drama, when they are alleged to have launched the unprovoked attack.

The trio were in a taxi driven by Somali-born Mohammed Yusuf, heading for the Malmaison hotel on Liverpool’s Princes Dock, when it is claimed Ian Gofton became aggressive.

A jury at Liverpool Crown Court heard that when Mr Yusuf asked for his £6 fare, Ian Gofton responded: "You’re not from my country, you shouldn’t tell us when to leave, you should wait for us to leave." He added: "If you say one more word I’ll send you back from where you came from."

Kenneth Grant, prosecuting, said Gofton got out of the cab and kicked the driver’s door, knocking the wing mirror off.

As he smash-ed a window, it is alleged he said: "Come out, n*****, I will teach you a lesson." Mr Grant said Gofton then punched Mr Yusuf through the driver’s window. It is alleged that as Mr Yusuf got out of the cab in a bid to protect it, the brother and sister turned on him

Mr Grant said: "The prosecution say there then ensued an ugly incident where both the defen-dants assaulted, unlawfully, Mr Yusuf by hitting him, striking him about the body and the head."

As actor Mr Gabel attempted to calm them pair down, they siblings continued to shout abuse and assault the driver, Mr Grant added. Mr Yusuf suffered cuts and swelling in the attack and was off work for several weeks.

Ian Gofton, 27, has already admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage on September 14, but denies racially aggravated criminal damage.

Both Gofton and his sister, 33, of Bowring Park Avenue, Court Hey, deny racially aggravated assault. She also denies assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Mr Grant said the incident had been captured on CCTV footage, which will be played to the jury.

Mr Gabel, who Mr Grant said did not participate in the alleged attack, is due to appear at court as a defence witness.

The case continues.