Getting drunk and committing a racially aggravated assault on a bouncer who refused him entry to a Lerwick nightspot in the early hours of Sunday has cost an offshore worker almost £1,000.
Tysen Carthy, of Primrose Lane, Houghton Le Spring, Sunderland, was stuck in Shetland overnight after his flight to a platform was cancelled.
He admitted charges of racially aggravated assault and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner by shouting and swearing.
Lerwick Sheriff Court heard yesterday that the 29-year-old went out on the town on Saturday night, drank heavily and was refused entry to Da Wheel Bar by the bouncer at around 1.30am on Sunday.
Having been told he was too intoxicated, Carthy responded by standing close to him and trying to threaten and intimidate the bouncer.
When the bouncer looked away momentarily, Carthy assaulted him by repeatedly punching him on the head to his injury.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said that in addition to “shouting and swearing the usual obscenities”, Carthy repeatedly also swore and referred to the colour of the bouncer’s skin.
“It doesn’t need me to tell the court how offensive that is,” the fiscal said.
The bouncer sustained a suspected broken nose during the incident.
Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client had far too much to drink and had no recollection of what happened.
Carthy was “astounded by the summary of evidence” when it was read to him. He does not consider himself racist and was “disgusted” by the behaviour, which was out of keeping with “the way he was brought up”, and he wanted to say sorry to the victim.
Honorary sheriff Eric Peterson told him: “This is a pretty disgraceful incident and not the sort of behaviour you’d expect to be tolerated here.”
Carthy, who had been in custody for over two days since the incident took place, was fined a total of £740 and ordered to pay £250 in compensation to his victim.