Yorkshire Evening Post
March 24, 2007
HEADLINE: Drunken PC escapes jail
An off-duty West Yorkshire police officer who assaulted a cabbie and shouted racist abuse during a drunken row at a taxi rank has avoided an immediate prison sentence.
Disgraced officer Christopher Mills, 36, in the West Yorkshire Force for 10 years, was yesterday ordered to do 250 hours community service work and pay his victim, Mohammed Amjum, £1,000 compensation.
Judge Peter Benson decided at Bradford Crown Court that despite his behaviourMills was not racist.
Prosecutor John Elvidge said he caused a disturbance in a taxi rank during which he struck Mohammed Amjum in the face with his elbow and he continued to punch him as other taxi drivers and a doorman dragged him out of the vehicle.
MIlls had been drinking in Huddersfield.
Last month Mills pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Amjum and an allegation of racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence.
Barrister Harry Owen, for Mills, said the head injury could be part of the explanation as to why his client had difficulty recollecting the events that night, but in the face of overwhelming evidence he had accepted what happened.
Mills will now be the subject of a 12-month community order which includes the requirement to do the 250 hours unpaid work.
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