An Inverness man who became aggressive and made racial remarks towards a city pub doorman who told him he was barred, was hit by a hefty fined at the city’s sheriff court.
John MacPhee (24), formerly of St Valery Avenue until it was damaged by fire, and now living in Glenurquhart Road, admitted a racially aggravated charge of behaving in a threatening and abusive manner towards the doorman who is a Thai national.
MacPhee also admitted previous convictions.
Fiscal depute Naomi Duffy-Welsh told Sheriff Ian Cruickshank that the doorman in the course of his employment at MacCallum’s bar in Union Street, on June 17 last year, told MacPhee he was barred from the premises and was not getting in.
She added: “The accused got right up in the doorman’s face,” and then began swearing at him aggressively and repeatedly calling him a racially insulting name.
The incident was reported to police who detained MacPhee later in Bridge Street.
Solicitor Rory Gowans, defending, urged Sheriff Cruickshank not to impose a custodial sentence.
He said his client was unemployed although he was a full-time carer for his father, but was keen to get back to landscaping work.
Explaining the background to the incident Mr Gowans told the court: “He was at a wake the night before in the same bar, and for whatever reason he wasn’t being allowed in the next day and he allowed his temper to get the better of him.
“He apologises to the gentleman today for his behaviour, and in fact went back the following day because he wanted to apologise to him for the way he acted. He is truly sorry.”
MacPhee was fined a total of £470 which Sheriff Cruickshank allowed him to pay at £40 a month, also placing him under a fine enforcement order.
Source – Inverness Courier
