Inverness sheriff gives racist chance to change before 'something awful' happens
A sheriff gave a 40-year-old racist woman who abused a taxi driver from the Middle East, a Polish national and a black woman a chance to "sort your life out".
Kimberley Fraser appeared by video link before Sheriff Gary Aitken for sentencing on the offences which took place between February 2022 and July 2023.
She had admitted a total of eight charges on one indictment, which originally contained 24 accusations.
They were a contravention of the Communications Act; three of assault, two of hindering police; one of threatening behaviour and another of racist conduct.
Defence solicitor advocate Clare Russell told the court that her client had suffered "numerous traumas" in her life including the deaths of two partners and her sister.
"She has had an appalling upbringing up until now," Ms Russell said. "She also had relationships which resulted in domestic abuse and turned to alcohol and substance abuse as a result. But this does not excuse this behaviour."
The lawyer asked the sheriff not to jail her client adding that Fraser needed a "significant degree of support".
Sheriff Aitken told Fraser: "You have had an enormous number of difficulties in your life which you did not bring on yourself.
"But you have caused an awful lot of trouble for a lot of people.
"The charges show a repeated and sustained course of conduct towards anyone that you take exception to or hate the colour of their skin.
"You have to stop it now. Either something awful will happen to you or you will do something awful. If you are going to take the assistance offered to you and sort out your life, that will be to your advantage and society. I will give you that chance."
He ordered Fraser to be under social work supervision for two years and carry out 200 hours of unpaid work as an alternative to custody.
The court previously heard that Fraser was intoxicated when she phoned her ex at about 5.20pm on February 6, 2022 and left a voicemail.
She threatened to mutilate the genitals of both him and his partner.
Fraser phoned again using another number on February 19 leaving abusive messages and saying: "I'm going to kill you b****" and other expletive-ridden comments including: "I will find, I will kill you and I will ruin you every way possible."
Five days before the second call, Fraser, two men, a woman and a baby were picked up by the cabbie who was asked to take them all to Lochardil Road in Inverness.
Fiscal Emily Hood told the court: "On arrival, a disagreement ensued with the accused over the fare. She was trying to get the pushchair out of the boot."
Ms Hood said the taxi driver warned her he would call the police and she tried to punch him in the face but he blocked it.
"She has then kicked him to the leg and pushed him against the taxi. He tried to get her off him but she continued to kick him until he managed to get around to the driver's door and sit on the seat. The matter was reported to the police."
The sheriff then heard of an incident at Burnett Road Police Station on October 20, 2022 after Fraser had been taken there on another matter.
She became abusive towards officers, shouting and swearing incoherently, racially abusing one of the custody suite officers and spitting at police and staff.
Ms Hood narrated another offence at the Superdry store in Eastgate Shopping Centre on January 23, 2023 after Fraser was arrested on another matter.
Ms Hood: "She reared up, resisting arrest and putting the officers off balance. She was controlled to the ground but continued kicking out with her legs and trying to spit at officers.
"In the police van she was able to bite a police officer on the left forearm, penetrating the skin.
"She is known as an intravenous drug user and follow up blood testing had to be carried out."
On July 16 this year, Fraser was in MacCallums bar in Union Street, Inverness when she joined the company uninvited of two people before saying to one of them: "She's black."
Ms Hood went on: "She said she didn't like black people and said she was a racist. The pair left but Fraser followed and punched the woman on the face and spat at her."
The court heard that Fraser kicked out at police officers who had been called and in Burnett Road Police Station, she tried to spit at one.
