Abuse of travelling people "utterly disgraceful"

[Nwicker60]

Reminiscent of the intimidation of black people in Alabama said sheriff
A SHERIFF has branded a young man's abuse of travelling folk as "utterly disgraceful " and compared it to the treatment of black people in the American state of Alabama.
Sheriff James Gilchrist underlined his concern at the behaviour of Jamie Sutherland who described the travelling people at their encampment near Thurso, as "f*****g dirty gypsies" by imposing a stiff fine.
Quarry worker, Sutherland, 21, was one of a moped gang which paid the travellers a visit at their site on an industrial estate, at Janetstown, on September 12, Wick Sheriff Court was told today.
They targeted a caravan containing a 38-year-old Bella Stewart and her four children who heard the comments to the effect that they were gipsies and had "no right to be here".
David Barclay prosecuting said: "She was very concerned at what appeared to be a dislike of her family's travelling background as well as it being used as a form of abuse. She perceived it as a dislike of travelling folk and felt intimidated by it and used her mobile phone to report the matter to the police".
The fiscal added that there was a threat that Sutherland and his companions might return and repeat the "wholly unacceptable" abuse.
When seen by officers, Sutherland admitted responsibility but claimed that others were involved.
"He accepted that what he had done was foolish" added the fiscal who, added, however that the accused appeared to have been the figurehead through which the abuse was channelled.
The court was told that Sutherland, of 1 Bishop Court, in Halkirk, who admitted racially aggravated conduct, was currently carrying out unpaid work for a separate, unrelated offence. The accused was fined £600.