Couple fined for race abuse in parking row
A PARISH councillor has been convicted of racial harassment after shouting abuse at a woman in the street.
Combe Martin parish councillor Nicolette Tossell, 52, denied the offence but was found guilty by magistrates.
-
RACIAL HARASSMENT: Nicolette Tossell and her husband, Raymond. Picture: Rob Tibbles 0904-16_02
Her husband, Raymond, 58, was also convicted of the same offence.
Barnstaple Magistrates' Court heard that the pair shouted racial abuse at villager Anthea Jane Slade on September 26 last year. Magistrates were told that the incident began when Miss Slade parked her car outside the Tossells home in Bowling Green Lane.
The court heard Cllr Tossell, who was cleaning her windows, shouted: "For goodness sake, that bloody woman has parked her car there again." She then put her head inside Miss Slade's open car window, subjecting her to a lengthy lecture about parking, magistrates were told.
Miss Slade said: "She kept trying to order me about, so I said: 'You don't need to speak to me like that, I'll move my car'. I thought that would be the end of it."
Miss Slade moved her car 25 metres around the corner.
But she said Cllr Tossell continued to pursue her, standing hands on hips, still clutching a pink duster and window-spray, watching her park.
Miss Slade said Mr Tossell appeared and shouted: "F*** off back to where you've come from."
She said Cllr Tossell then turned on her as she continued to remove shopping from her car.
Miss Slade said: "She pointed the window cleaner in my face and said: 'F*** off back to where you've come from'. I said: 'That will be London then' and she said: 'F*** off back there then, there are too many foreigners in this country now. We don't need people like you in this village'."
Miss Slade said: "I did swear back, and I told her she was a toffee-nosed snob. She thinks she's above the law and she's a bully — it was a completely unprovoked attack."
Both Tossells denied racially abusing Miss Slade.
Mr Tossell said he didn't realise Miss Slade was of mixed-race origin and thought she might have a very good suntan.
Nicolette Tossell, who is the manager of Youings toy shop in Barnstaple, was fined £150, ordered to pay £150 court costs, and £15 victim surcharge.
Raymond Tossell was fined £90 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.
Cllr Tossell refused to comment about the case, and also refused to comment as to whether she would be resigning from the parish council.
Parish council clerk Michelle Beaumont said: "This level of fine does not disqualify someone from being a parish councillor."
DC Mick Dean of Ilfracombe police said after the hearing: "This is a great result because it sends out a message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with robustly in Ilfracombe."
Miss Slade said: "I'm just relieved I can get on with my life, and I'd like to thank Ilfracombe police, and in particular DC Dean and Sarah Rottenbury, who have been wonderful."
152 Comments
View all
by anne goldsmith, london - ex combe martiner
Thursday, April 23 2009, 5:08PM
“WITHOUT PREJUDICE - Fact: a criminal, a.k.a convict,crook, culprit, delinquent, evil-doer, felon, lawbreaker, malefactor, offender, sinner, transgressor, is a person guilty of a crime. Fact: racism, the belief that racial differences between people are the main influence on their characters and abilities, or the dislike or unfair treatment of people based on this belief . would anyone convicted of racial harrassment be a criminal?”
by miesha, nearby
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 1:23PM
“Not at the hips ex-pat but certainly by long standing membership of the "Stitch and B*tch" club that makes up 25% of the councel”
by ex pat, Eastern Counties
Wednesday, April 22 2009, 10:29AM
“So Chairperson said the Council could not make Cllr Tossell resign, but did she, in the interest of the PC and the village ask Cllr Tosser to consider her position? or are they joined at the hip?”
by Newcomer, Combe
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 7:15PM
“NDJ Survey
315 voted
86% said resign
Please resign Mrs Tossell
Do not embarrass the rest of the council and the village any further.
Let fresh new blood into the council. Your time is up.”
by Trevor Dunkerley, Combe Martin
Tuesday, April 21 2009, 10:43AM
“Congratulations are due to Combe Martin Parish Council for adopting an equal opportunities policy.
It may be that they should now also adopt an anti-discriminatory policy to protect parishioners.”
by Glyn HW, Combe Martin
Monday, April 20 2009, 8:10PM
“So Combe Martin Parish Council have just met. A statement was read by the Chair about the "private" issue of a member, and "stories, that's all they are, in the press". We were informed that COUNCILLOR Tossell wasn't resigning and the Parish Council couldn't make her. An equal opp's statement was issued that the chair proclaimed they were all agreed to.
COUNCILLOR Tossell was not present and no apology has been issued .
The public were told they could complain to the District Council Standards Committee if they wished.
Peter Spenser who was agitating to end the public session, said next years election was the time for the public to have their say on the matter and Chair Clark closed the public section of the meeting. Several parishioners were still waiting to address the meeting.
We seem to have a Parish Council that have issued a non discrimination statement along with a statement that they have a member who makes no apology for being a racist. They represent the Parishioners but desperately seek NOT to hear their questions,or even "deign" to minute their questions, let alone hear their views. It doesn't really add up does it?
PS All respect is due to Councillor Hughes who called into question when a councillor could switch on and off from being a Parish representative. He seems to have joined the other 4 members who seem to have distanced themselves from this obscenity.”
by Ed, Bideford
Saturday, April 18 2009, 8:10PM
“Well Penny your last comment makes perfect sense to me - I agree its a shame this couldn't have just been a barny between 2 women about parking which is what it actually was to begin with! We are after all one race - the HUMAN RACE there are no separate races just different colours and cultures.”
by Local, CM
Friday, April 17 2009, 4:48PM
“O dear... did someone take offense to my comment as it seems to have disappeared?
It is about time Cllr Tossell had a taste of her own medicine, with her loud mouth comments and open opinions...
If she was better liked in this village then most people wouldnt have found it ammusing that she was front page news, racial issue aside!”
by Confused, Local
Friday, April 17 2009, 4:17PM
“Paul, Combe Martin and Nick, Holsworthy. I know I'm a bit slow at times but have I missed something? Where are the eulogies to Penny? I thought she'd taken mainly stick for her comments. Also, Nick, why pointing east (or am I being thick again)?”
by nick, holsworthy
Friday, April 17 2009, 2:07PM
“It'll be a statue with a finger pointing east......”