Man living in a tent in the grounds of an Inverness church hurled abuse at takeaway staff

A man who had been living in a tent in the grounds of an Inverness church, walked into a city takeaway and began hurling abuse at staff.

Tomas Karfik (33) walked into Max’s 2 on Lombard Street shouting and swearing at staff, including using a racist term, on February 6.

Fiscal depute Shamiela Ghafar told Sheriff Gary Aitken at Inverness Sheriff Court: “Karfik asked the workers if they sold halal meat.”

He said it was after this that he began hurling insults.

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“He kept walking out and would walk in again,” the fiscal depute continued.

“Witnesses began filming him on their mobile phones and called the police.

“He was standing at the entrance, and police attended on foot from the city centre.

“They saw the accused pointing and shouting. It was unclear what he was saying.

“While waiting for patrol he told police ‘They worship paedophiles’ and similar remarks.”

Karfik, who is currently in custody at HMP Inverness, pleaded guilty to threatening and abusive behaviour that was racially and culturally motivated and constitutes a hate crime.

Sheriff Aitken gave him an eight-month custodial sentence.

Karif’s defence solicitor said that he had been under the influence of alcohol and although he holds these attitudes would never manifest them.

He said: “He does wish to apologise to the two complainers and offer an apology to the church who provided him with much goodwill.”