A man from South Shields has been fined after racially harassing a police officer during his arrest and falsely claiming he was being discriminated against.
Jason Lamb, 55, was being arrested by police following a domestic incident on August 7, 2023, when he became verbally abusive towards an Asian police officer who had attended the scene. While being detained, Lamb shouted: “I’m being discriminated, I’m black, I’m black”—despite being white.
Appearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Lamb pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence.
Prosecutor Antonia Adie told the court that Lamb was disruptive during the arrest, resisted entering the police van, and made remarks perceived as racially targeted. The officer later confirmed he believed the comments were aimed at his ethnicity.
The court heard that Lamb, of Mowbray Road, South Shields, has 16 previous convictions for 22 offences.
In mitigation, his barrister David Smith said Lamb accepted his behaviour was inappropriate and that his remarks were aimed at the officer, adding that he “accepts the officer would have been annoyed and upset.”
Judge Robert Spragg ordered Lamb to pay a £250 fine and £500 in compensation to the officer.