A Wick takeaway worker was racially abused while he was on a smoking break, a court has heard.
Bulgarian national Ivan Ivanov was standing outside the fast food outlet on Back Bridge Street in Wick, when he was confronted by 51-year-old Gordon Green.
Fiscal David Barclay said Green, who is disabled, shouted and swore at Mr Ivanov.
Wick Sheriff Court heard that Green was holding a pizza in his hand and shouted “f*** you, you black man” at Mr Ivanov.
The incident occurred on the evening of August 23 last year and was witnessed by another employee of the takeaway.
Accused admitted racist remarks
Mr Barclay said Green was very drunk at the time.
The fiscal added that there had not been any prior trouble between the pair.
“On any reading, this appears to have been the ramblings of a drunk man than anything more sinister in what is broadly classed as a hate crime”, he said.
Green, of Upper Dunbar Street, Wick admitted acting in a racially aggravated manner by shouting, swearing and making a racist remark.
His not guilty plea to assaulting Mr Ivanov by repeatedly attempting to punch him was accepted by the Crown.
Solicitor George Mathers told the court that Green had spent many years at sea as a fisherman, where he had contact with many different nationalities.
He said: “There was no question of a racial bias as far as he’s concerned.
“He can hardly believe he uttered those words.”
‘He’s extremely sorry’
Mr Mathers said his client can recall little of the evening due to the amount of drink he had taken.
He claimed Green had been the victim of an assault three years ago which caused bleeding to his brain and has left him with permanent brain damage.
Mr Mathers also stated that Green was “taking seven different tablets a day” and should not have been drinking while on the medication.
“He’s extremely sorry, he’s not in the least a racist individual”, he said.
Sheriff Ian Miller fined him £220 along with a £10 victim surcharge.
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