News / Threats land Ollaberry man in the dock
SENTENCE on an Ollaberry man who acted in an abusive manner by calling staff at a Lerwick chip shop ‘pakis’ and threatened to burn down the premises was deferred for reports until 22 August.
Owen Finbar Haughian, of 18 Runnadale, also admitted behaving in a threatening manner within an ambulance at Lerwick Police station, calling a paramedic a ‘paki’, throwing a bowl and spitting on the floor.
The 29 year old pled guilty to both charges, committed on Friday evening, when appearing from custody before Lerwick Sheriff Court, on Monday.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that an intoxicated Haughian started abusing staff at the Harbour Chip Shop, on the Esplanade, with no apparent reason.
He added that once police had arrived at the scene Haughian faked losing consciousness which led to an ambulance being called.
The court heard that the 29 year old was ashamed and mortified by his behaviour and, being in partnership with a Thai woman and regularly working with people from other ethnic backgrounds, insisted he was no racist.
However, fiscal Mackenzie said that once under the influence of alcohol Haughian seemed “to be the holder of prejudices”.
Sheriff Philip Mann said he took a “serious view of offences of this kind” particularly since Haughian had already a previous conviction for a similar offence.
The sheriff deferred sentence for four weeks for a social inquiry report to be compiled.
Haughian was released on bail with the condition not enter the chip shop in question.
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