Jailed: Man told police officer Chinese people were 'filth'

Simon Sheppard, 55, had been arrested in connection with an unrelated incident at the Mind charity’s supported accommodation block in Cowley Road in May.

As he was taken to the police station in the back of a custody van, he told a female police officer of Chinese heritage: “Chinese, you are filth.”

Prosecuting, Cathy Olliver told Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (August 4) that Sheppard went on to use a vile swear word against the officer.

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In a victim impact statement, she said that she had to deal with racial abuse ‘quite often’. “Racism is still prevalent in society and it is extremely disheartening it occurs,” she said.

The officer had been ‘frustrated and unsettled’ by Sheppard’s verbal abuse.

Sheppard, of Cowley Road, Oxford, pleaded guilty to racially-aggravated harassment this week after psychiatrists deemed him fit to enter pleas.

Defending, Julian Lynch said his client had been taking medication for his mental health while in prison on remand ‘because he is required to’.

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The problem was expected to come when he was released from custody. “Mr Sheppard doesn’t accept he is significantly unwell,” Mr Lynch said, meaning the judge could not be satisfied the defendant would comply with a probation order.

It was not known whether Sheppard would be able to return to his supported accommodation on his release from prison.

Imposing four months’ imprisonment, which he has already served on remand, Judge Michael Gledhill KC told Sheppard: “I would strongly advise you to cooperate with the mental health services.”