Drunk Tesco supermarket customer sentenced at Inverness Sheriff Court after making racist and homophobic insults
A Nigerian security guard at an Inverness supermarket was subjected to racial abuse by a drunk customer who wanted to buy whisky.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told that landscaper John MacPhee (52), of St Valery Avenue, Inverness, had gone into the Tesco Metro in Tomnahurich Street on February 24 and asked the member of staff where the whisky was being kept.
But he became loud and was staggering about with another employee and he was told he would not be sold alcohol because he was intoxicated, procurator fiscal Sharon Ralph told the court.
"He was not happy and made aggressive comments towards the security guard and tried to charm the female manager into selling him alcohol."
Sheriff Gary Aitken was then told that he made insulting comments about the guard and grabbed him in the groin area, although "it was a quick touch then he let go," Mrs Ralph added.
"He repeatedly made comments about the guard's colour. Police were called and he was arrested."
The sheriff was told MacPhee also made a homophobic comment to one of the officers en route to Burnett Road Police Station.
MacPhee admitted assault, acting in a racially aggravated manner and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner.
His solicitor, Rory Gowans told the court: "He was three sheets to the wind and admits he didn't behave well.
"He watched the body cam footage in my office, realised he was intoxicated and being a nuisance. But he is a hard working individual and will do a community payback order."
Ordering MacPhee to have alcohol treatment while under a year's social work supervision, the sheriff also told him he must carry out 120 hours of unpaid work in the community.
"Being drunk is no excuse but you seem prepared to do something about your alcohol consumption."
