An oil worker branded street beggars “Johnny foreigners” when he made a drunken complaint about them to police.
Ralph Benzie admitted shouting racist remarks in Aberdeen’s Union Street when he appeared at the city’s sheriff court.
The 40-year-old, of Cults, represented himself during a hearing before Sheriff Christine McRossan.
He asked the court to show him leniency, saying he told police officers about “vagrants” obstructing him and had described them as “Johnny foreigners”.
He added that his “intoxicated” state had made him act inappropriately, but that he was a “nice chap” who realised he had made a mistake.
Benzie was interviewed by social workers who prepared a background report on the first offender.
He told the sheriff yesterday: “I was intoxicated and I kept being stopped by various vagrants on the street.
“I complained to the police and noted they were foreign. I didn’t put my point across well.”
He said he now realised that complaining to police in an intoxicated state or making references to “Johnny foreigners” was “not acceptable”.
Benzie added that, while he would accept any sentence from the court, losing his job would be a “show stopper” for him.
He said: “I know now that the expression Johnny foreigner is not acceptable. I now realise I should never complain to police in an intoxicated state.
“Without my work, I have nothing to keep me going.”
He also apologised for any inconvenience he had caused to the police and the court.
The incident happened on April 30.
Sheriff McRossan said she found no cause for further action and admonished Benzie, whose address was given in court papers as 110 Abbotshall Crescent.
She said the background report was “positive” and added: “I don’t think there is reason for this court to impose any further penalty. I will admonish you.”
