Racist and sectarian abuse directed at Inverness bar staff and police
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A Stirling man hurled racist and sectarian abuse at police and pub staff after being thrown out of two Inverness city centre bars.
Thomas Cumming, of Keir Avenue, Raploch, appeared at Inverness Sheriff Court and admitted two charges of threatening or abusive behaviour, acting in a racially aggravated manner and assaulting a police officer.
The offences took place on the night of July 15, 2022 in Bar One [now called The Imperial], in Academy Street, and MacCallums, in Union Street, while the 42-year-old was working in the area.
He was fined £2575 by Sheriff Ian Cruickshank who said he was "fed up of individuals coming up at this court after directing belligerent behaviour and abusive comments towards people just doing their jobs like police and bar staff".
Although Cumming had served previous prison sentences, Sheriff Cruickshank told defence solicitor Natalie Paterson, who had asked for a non-custodial sentence, he was not going to jail her client.
But he said he would impose a significant fine which Cumming said he would pay at £100-a-month. Sheriff Cruickshank refused the offer and told him he must pay it at £200-a-month.
The court heard that Cumming had handed over a £5 note to a barman at Bar One, got change then claimed it was a £20 he had given.
Fiscal depute Victoria Silver said: "He shouted, swore and called him an Irish f***** and was ordered to leave."
At the other premises, he was refused entry because of his state of intoxication. The court was told that he threatened to slash the doorman and police were called.
"He shouted at the doorman, saying he was a terrorist and a suicide bomber," Mrs Silver said. "He was arrested and threatened the officers, saying 'as soon as these cuffs come off, you will be the first to get it'.
"He continued to be abusive to police and in the custody suite of Burnett Road Police Station he kicked an officer, continued to be abusive and was spitting. A spit hood was applied."
Mrs Silver added that he then made offensive and abusive sectarian comments.
Ms Paterson told the court that Cumming had a background of an alcohol difficulty and that he was embarrassed by the language that he used.
