Birmingham man who launched racist and homophobic abuse at police officers is jailed

A train thug who spouted vile racist and homophobic abuse at two police officers while armed with a Taser disguised as a torch has been jailed for five years.

Matthew Haylett, 44, branded one PC a “dirty stinking white dirty dog” and another a “blood-clot lesbian”. He was arrested after a railway worker saw him arguing with two men at Wolverhampton Train Station at 7pm on April 20, 2019.

He was overheard telling one of the men: “I’m going to cut you up,” so the member of staff reported his concerns to British Transport Police. Two officers searched Haylett and discovered a torch in his pocket with “police” printed on one side and “80,000w” on the other. It was later identified as a powerful stun-gun disguised as a torch. They also found a small black plastic bag containing four grams of cannabis. Haylett was arrested but while being taken to a police station he launched a tirade of abuse at the officers.

Haylett, of Birmingham, claimed he had found the Taser on a bus. He was found guilty of possessing a disguised firearm, possessing Class B drugs and a racially aggravated public order offence.

On Friday (12 August) he was jailed for five years at Wolverhampton Crown Court.

What has West Midlands Police said?

Detective Inspector Shani Plumb, from British Transport Police, said: “How this device came into Haylett’s possession remains a mystery.

“However, there are no question marks over how despicable his behaviour was on that day. No emergency worker should be subjected to a torrent of abuse for simply doing their job. I am grateful to the member of rail staff who reported Haylett to our officers – his action has resulted in the seizure of a dangerous device and a hostile offender behind bars.

“Anyone who witnesses suspicious behaviour on the railway should always report it to us. As evidenced in this case, we will always take action to ensure the UK rail network remains a safe environment for passengers.”

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