Comedian Eddie Izzard was subjected to homophobic abuse after refusing to give passers-by a ride in his classic 1958 Volkswagen Beetle, a court heard today.

Jamie Penny, 24, allegedly threatened to 'do' the 54-year-old celebrity's house after Izzard said he would not give him and a friend a lift in Pimlico, central London.

A month later, Penny saw the stand-up comic again and branded him a 'f***ing p***ter', Westminster Magistrates Court heard.

Comedian Eddie Izzard (left) was subjected to abuse after refusing to give Jamie Penny, 24, (right) and his friend a ride in his classic 1958 Volkswagen Beetle, a court heard today

Penny, who lives in Pimlico, is charged with two counts of using threatening and abusive words or behaviour. He is yet to indicate a plea.

Amee Emby, prosecuting, told how Penny's friend had spotted Izzard on April 3, and demanded: 'You should take me for a ride in your car.'

Tempers are said to have flared when the comic shot back: 'I would never take you for a ride in this car.'

Penny allegedly responded: 'We are going to do your house when you're going away' before storming off down the street.

Then on May 4, Penny allegedly launched into a homophobic tirade after bumping into Izzard again.

'This time Mr Penny was on his own and saw the same complainant in Gillingham Street at around lunchtime,' said Miss Emby.

Westminster Magistrates Court (pictured) was told that Penny's friend had spotted Izzard on April 3, and demanded: 'You should take me for a ride in your car'

'He is said to have shouted: "Izzard you're a f***ing p***ter, you're an idiot.'

'The complainant responded by dismissing the abuse and telling Mr Penny to go away.'

Today, Penny demanded time to get an 'autistic aware' solicitor because he has been diagnosed with ADHD and autism.

He told magistrates: 'If I enter a not guilty plea you're going to find me guilty, it's your job, I want it dropped.

'I want this case dropped, I need a solicitor to get it dropped.'

When the bench rose to consider whether to adjourn the case, Penny referred to Miss Emby by shouting: 'Evil f***ing woman she's going to hell, scumbag prosecution, what kind of f***ing job is that anyway?'

His mother, who sat with him throughout the hearing, observed: 'If the policeman had the flu they would adjourn it, that's British justice for you.'

When a security guard was called to sit by Penny, he moaned: 'Don't kiss your teeth at me mate, there's no need for that. In his culture - not my culture - that's an insult.'

Chair of the bench Stevie Dee adjourned the case until 16 August and ordered Penny not to go to the area of Pimlico where the encounters took place, or contact Izzard while on conditional bail.

Ms Dee said: 'We have taken into account your request that because of your disability that you can see a lawyer with an understanding of autism.

'We are going to put this case over for a week for you to see a lawyer of your own choosing.