Man ‘shouted racial abuse at steward before ploughing car into people on New Year’s Eve’

A man shouted racial abuse at a steward before ploughing his car into pedestrians at a New Year celebration event in north London, a court heard. 

Daniel Sterling, 40, of Camden, was charged with causing injury by dangerous driving. 

He was also charged with assault by beating and failing to attend a drugs test possession of a knife in a public place and a racially aggravated public order offence. 

The Met said the incident was not being treated as terror-related.

Highbury Corner Magistrates heard how Sterling, who appeared in custody, injured two men near Primrose Hill at 12.13am on New Year’s Day. 

Prosecutor Edward Aydin said the vehicle had been driving ‘recklessly at speed’ through barriers manned by stewards at the event. 

He told the court: ‘The police officer saw a vehicle driving .. the BMW was being driven dangerously at speed’. 

He said the incident had started when steward had tried to stop him. 

The prosecutor said: ‘He was as aggressive shouting ‘move Paki I’m going to fxxx you up’. 

The alleged victim of the racial slur was named in court as Kamal Bakayah. 

Mr Aydin said Sterling had driven through the barrier and injured a pedestrian who suffered a fractured clavicle and ribs.’ Another person suffered minor injuries. 

Police previously confirmed a 21-year-old man suffered minor injuries that did not require medical treatment.

The second pedestrian, a 59-year-old man, was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital where his injuries were assessed as not life-changing.

A kitchen knife was found in the large glove box of the car, the court was told.

District Judge Lorraine McDonagh remanded Sterling in custody to appear at Wood Green Crown court on February 3. 

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