News / “Unpleasant trend” of racial abuse
SHETLAND’S procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie has described the growing number of racially aggravated crimes coming before Lerwick Sheriff Court as an “unpleasant trend”.
Mr Mackenzie was referring to two such cases on Thursday, and another earlier this week. He said some islanders had taken to targeting others in the community “simply because of their ethnicity”.
On Thutrsday 17 year old Danne Scott, of 17 Russell Crescent, Lerwick, was fined almost £500 and told to pay compensation totalling £550 after admitting assault and racially aggravated abuse, while sentence on 21 year old Darren Laurenson, of 16 Hoofields, Lerwick, was deferred for reports until 5 October.
Scott pled guilty to assaulting two of his friends at Victoria Pier during the Tall Ships event, on 22 July. In addition he threatened to kill one of them and called him a “black bastard”.
The court heard that Scott was drunk at the time, and had experienced problems when drinking vodka.
Sheriff Graeme Napier said he was intrigued by this admission and told him that no drinks were suitable for him since he was only 17.
He fined him £480 and told him to pay a total of £550 in compensation, £400 of which was to go to the victim he racially abused.
Laurenson meanwhile admitted shouting and swearing in a racially aggravated manner at Lerwick’s Market Cross on 23 August.
The court was told that his Thai victim and her two young children were fearful and extremely alarmed.
Defence solicitor Tommy Allan said his client had been under the influence of alcohol but was unable to explain his behaviour.
He added that he was extremely sorry and wanted to apologise to his victim.
Deferring sentence, Sheriff Napier told Laurenson that alcohol was not an excuse.
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