Offshore worker fined for racially aggravated assault

An offshore worker was fined nearly £1,000 on Tuesday after he admitted a racially aggravated assault on a bouncer when trying to get into Da Wheel Bar in Lerwick.

Tysen Carthy, of Primrose Lane, Houghton Le Spring, Sunderland, was in Shetland overnight because his offshore flight had been cancelled.

Lerwick Sheriff Court was told that the 29-year-old had been out drinking and was refused entry at about 1.30am on Sunday by the doorman because he was too intoxicated.

Procurator fiscal Duncan MacKenzie said Carthy was acting in a threatening and intimidating manner and stood close in front of the doorman.

The doorman momentarily looked away and Carthy “took his chance” and assaulted the man, the fiscal said.

As well as “the usual obscenities” Carthy repeatedly shouted “nigger” and “fucking nigger” towards the complainer, who was a black man, Mr MacKenzie said.

The bouncer sustained a suspected broken nose in the incident.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said Carthy could not really remember what he had done and knew he had way too much to drink.

He said his client did not consider himself a racist and he was disgusted by the comments and wanted to man to know he was sorry.

Carthy admitted to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, acting in an aggressive manner, shouting and swearing.

He also admitted to repeatedly punching the man on his head to his injury and that the offence was racially aggravated.

Honorary sheriff Eric Peterson said: “This is a pretty disgraceful incident and it is not the sort of behaviour you’d expect to be tolerated here.”

Carthy was fined £740 and ordered to pay £250 compensation to the victim.