Racist rant man blames offence on spiked drink (From South Wales Guardian)

Racist rant man blames offence on spiked drink

1:00pm Friday 26th October 2012 in News

A 38-YEAR-OLD former soldier from Cross Hands caught shoplifting has claimed a “spiked” drink led him to headbutt and racially abuse a supermarket security guard.

Jonathan Peter Whittle, of 38 Carmarthen Road, was confronted by Kingsley Ikejiaku while stealing toiletries worth £49.01 from the Ammanford Tesco store on August 24.

Whittle told Llanelli magistrates he has discovered his drink was “spiked” at the Railway Hotel before the incident.

Prosecutor Ellie Morgan described how Tesco staff witnessed Whittle unsuccessfully attempt to remove security tags from bottles of spirits in the store and customers also reported seeing him hide cans of deodorant in his jacket.

When Whittle left without paying, Mr Ikejiaku grabbed him in the car park and a struggle ensued.

During the fracas, Whittle headbutted Mr Ikejiaku and launched into a foul-mouthed racist tirade.

As the two men grappled, six cans of Lynx deodorant fell from Whittle’s jacket.

A later search discovered three more cans of deodorant and a packet of Gillette Fusion razor blades hidden in Whittle’s clothing.

While Mr Ikejiaku spoke to police, Whittle began another foulmouthed racist rant.

In interview, Whittle claimed he had been in the store while waiting to ‘sign-on’, but then picked up items and walked out.

Mike Reed, defending, said Whittle felt “absolutely ashamed of his behaviour.

“He has no memory of this at all and was not even aware of the court case,” said Mr Reed.

“Members of his family are black. He is totally ashamed and would like to apologise to the court and his victim.

“He bumped into some acquaintances in the Railway and remembers having two pints of lager but has no further memory and does not remember going to Tesco.

“He has since contacted the people he met and they have said his drinks were spiked with Valium.

“Only at court has he become aware of the full scale of the incident.

He is utterly ashamed.”

Whittle admitted theft, racially aggravated assault and causing racially aggravated alarm and distress.

Magistrates adjourned sentencing until November 2.