Cleaner fined for making racist remarks to pair in Inverness

A CLEANER has been fined for racially abusing two Polish women outside a shop.

Margaret Reid, of Glendoe Terrace, Inverness, admitted acting in a racially aggravated manner towards the women and making offensive remarks on March 1 last year.

Depute fiscal Fiona Murray told Inverness Sheriff Court that the two women were standing outside the B&M store in the city’s Telford Street having a cigarette when the accused came and stood beside them for a while.

The 33-year-old was then joined at the shop by another woman whose plea of not guilty to the same charge was accepted by the court.

Ms Murray said Reid shouted racial abuse, calling the Polish women “scumbags” and telling them to get back to Poland.

Solicitor Duncan Henderson said Reid held no ill will towards the women.

He said her position was that one of the women flicked a cigarette towards her pram and that there was a history of bad blood between her friend and the women.

Sheriff Iain Cruickshank fined Reid £225 and told her:”As far as I’m concerned Scotland is an inclusive and welcoming country.

“No one should be subjected to racially offensive remarks.”

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