A FORMER Wrexham FC player has pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault.
Martyn Chalk admitted assaulting Muhaumad Baldeh during a dispute over a car parking space in November, a court heard.
CCTV footage was shown at Wrexham Magistrates Court yesterday, which captured a scuffle between the two men before Chalk, on seeing the approaching blue lights of a police car, ran away from the scene on St George’s Crescent, Wrexham.
There was some dispute between the prosecution and the defence about the events which led to the assault but both parties agreed Chalk, of Gabriel Close,
Wrexham, made racially insulting comments to Mr Baldeh.
Justin Espie, prosecuting, said: “Mr Baldeh claims the defendant had been following him in his car on St George’s Crescent before pulling in abruptly in front of him and then pulling out again causing him to slam on his brakes.
“When he asked Chalk what he was doing, he replied with ‘What are you doing you black mother******’, which obviously offended him.”
The two men got out of their cars and at this remark Mr Baldeh attempted to call the police, but Chalk tried to grab his phone.
The victim claimed he smelled alcohol on Chalk’s breath and grabbed the keys out of the car so he could not drive away.
“This made the defendant more angry and he went into panic, pushing the victim up an alley and said he was going to kill him,” added Mr Espie.
The police arrived and Chalk escaped behind the Sleepy Panda restaurant, leaving the police to tow his car away.
Mr Espie described this action as an aggravating feature because it meant the 42-year-old escaped a breath test, which might have revealed he was over the limit.
But Euros Jones, defending, denied the threats to kill and the drink-driving allegation made against his client.
He said: “My client, who had not been drinking, simply pulled into a car parking space a little quickly and Mr Baldeh began shouting at him.
“He did then reply with a racist comment and admits physically trying to get his keys back but he denies trying to stop Mr Baldeh using his mobile.
“All he wanted to do was get his keys back, which he felt had been unfairly taken from him.”
The case was adjourned pending a pre-sentence report. Chalk will return to Wrexham Magistrates Court on February 3.
- Martyn Chalk made his debut for Wrexham FC in 1996 and left the club in 2002.