Drug treatment order for man who racially abused Inverness shopkeeper

Inverness Sheriff Court heard a man apologised for racially abusing a shopkeeper on his premises.

Alexander Stewart was at the LA Food Store in Laurel Avenue, Inverness on May 16 with another man when they caused a disturbance.

Stewart, of Kilmuir Court, Inverness, shouted racially abusive comments towards the shopkeeper and the police were called.

He admitted the offence at an earlier court appearance and sentence was deferred for a drug treatment testing order (DTTO) assessment.

Solicitor Clare Russell said Stewart returned to the store to apologise to the shopkeeper who he had known for some time.

She said there was an incident between the shopkeeper and the accused's accomplice. Stewart intervened and it backfired.

She said he did not find the DTTO assessment particularly easy, but fully complied.

"He doesn't want to spend the rest of his life in and out of prison," she added.

Sheriff Chris Dickson told Stewart he had an appalling record but added that he appeared willing to engage with those trying to help him.

He placed him on a DTTO for 18 months.