A man has been jailed for two years after a vile racist assault on a pensioner in the centre of Aberdeen.
Scott McClorey, 50, appeared in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where he admitted attacking a 78-year-old man out of the blue as he walked along on Union Street to do his shopping.
McClorey was heard to hurl racist abuse at the pensioner before repeatedly punching him to the face, causing his nose to bleed heavily and leaving him with facial lacerations.
The frightened pensioner tried to fight back and was finally able to get away from McClorey.
McClorey attacked man, 78, out of the blue
McClorey’s solicitor, Iain McGregor, said his client had “no recollection” of the incident due to his heavy drinking, but acknowledged that it was a “nasty and unpleasant” assault.
Fiscal depute Jane Spark told the court that at around 7.30pm on February 25 2024 the man was walking on Union Street when he saw McClorey walking just ahead of him.
The man heard McClorey swearing but didn’t pay much attention to him.
As they walked along the street, McClorey suddenly turned around and faced the pensioner and spat in his direction.
McClorey then shouted a racial slur at the man and demanded: “Why are you coming in this country?”
“The complainer was shocked at this and before he could react the accused began punching him to the face.
“The accused delivered a number of blows to the complainer’s face, one of which caused his nose to start bleeding heavily.
“The complainer was terrified and tried to fight back in order to defend himself and eventually managed to get away from the accused and made his way home.”
Upon arriving home, the pensioner told his wife what had happened but did not contact the police.
When his son learned of the incident the following day, he immediately contacted the police to report the matter.
Following the assault, the 78-year-old suffered a bleeding nose, a laceration to the inside of his lip, a swollen lip and a bruised and swollen eye.
In the dock, McClorey pleaded guilty to one count of assault with a racial aggravation.
Racism ‘cannot be tolerated in our society’
Defence solicitor Iain McGregor told the court that his client has “absolutely no recollection” of the incident due to being “heavily under the influence”.
“Mr McClorey does acknowledge that this is a particularly nasty and unpleasant offence towards a 78-year-old man,” the solicitor said.
“He suffers from a significant alcohol and drug problem.
“And he is aware given the nature of this offence and his record of previous convictions that that a custodial sentence will be considered by the court.”
Sheriff Ian Wallace told McClorey his behaviour was “nasty” and something that “cannot be tolerated in our society”.
“It was a racist attack on a 78-year-old man,” he repeated.
“The court has to protect the public from people like you.”
Sheriff Wallace jailed McClorey, of Summer Street, Aberdeen, for two years.
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