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06
Dec
Ripon man admits calling police officer a ‘black b******’
A Ripon man has admitted to using racist language in public.
Andrew Keogh, 37, pleaded guilty to one count of racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress by words, writing or behaviour during a hearing at Harrogate Magistrates Court on Thursday (December 4).
Sarah Tyrer, prosecuting, told the court the offence occurred in Ripon on July 18 after Keogh had been arrested for separate matters.
Keogh was sentenced for those offences, which Ms Tyrer said led up to the racism incident, in August.
As Keogh was waiting to be moved into a police van, he became “more and more” agitated.
He started swearing, before turning his aggression to a named police officer, who he called a “black b******”.
Ms Tyrer said police noted he was drunk at the time of the incident, adding there was “no evidence to suggest he was trying to intentionally harass [police officer]”.
The officer was more concerned about abusive language being used in earshot of members of the public, the court heard.
Keogh, of Harrogate Road, is currently serving an 18-month community order for previous offences.
Defendant ‘wants to apologise for his language’
Sean Wilson, defending, told the court the case is a matter that “should’ve been dealt with in August”.
He said Keogh was “very intoxicated” at the time of the offence, adding the defendant would admit he was “highly intoxicated for most of 2025” after his partner died last year.
“After that, he has gone off a cliff”, Mr Wilson said.
The court heard:
Mr Keogh has been before the courts several times this year, mainly because he was on a 10-month bender. Things are better now.
Keogh was addicted to heroin for a decade but has not used it for nearly a year now, nor is he drinking alcohol.
Mr Wilson added Keogh wanted to apologise for the language he used and said the defendant does not recall the incident.
“He said he consumed between 12 and 15 pints that day, but he is not drinking at all now”, the court was told.
Magistrates also heard that Keogh has a good relationship with his probation officer and has been attending rehabilitative appointments.
Keogh was ordered to pay a total of £56, comprising a fine of £40 and a £16 surcharge.
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