A fish and chips van owner who “racially” abused his neighbour fears his criminal record will upstage an upcoming job interview.
Ronald Watt called his German neighbour a “Nazi b******” and told him to “f*** off back to Germany”.
He was allowed to walk free from court without punishment, but the “racially aggravated” incident will still be recorded on his criminal record.
The 56-year-old was admonished at Banff Sheriff Court after obeying an order to be of good behaviour for six months.
But despite getting off lightly, Watt still moaned to Sheriff Robert McDonald: “Because I have racism on my police disclosure, it’s going to affect my chance of the job”.
Watt launched The Salty Chip roaming van in April last year, fulfilling a childhood dream after working in the oil industry for 30 years.
But following his conviction for a nasty disturbance outside his home in the same month that he launched the new business, Watt has since listed his van for sale.
Earlier this month, the director of Saltire Fish And Chips Limited posted pictures of the vehicle on his firm’s Facebook page and said: “Salty van is up for sale”.
Watt ’caused complainer fear or alarm’
Fiscal depute Kirsty Martin previously told the court that an incident happened outside Watt’s home in New Byth at 11.20am on April 23 2022.
She said his victim first noted that Watt had “parked poorly” outside his home and on drawing level with his vehicle was met with a barrage of abuse.
The fiscal said: “He heard a male voice shouting and stopped his car and saw the accused standing in his own garden gesticulating at him.
“He said to the complainer, ‘You German Nazi b******’ and ‘F*** off back to Germany you b******’.
“This caused the complainer fear or alarm so he began to drive away from the property.”
The man didn’t contact police at the time but the incident came to light after Watt contacted officers himself to inform them of issues he had with the neighbour.
His victim, in turn, made officers aware of what Watt had said to him.
In the dock, Watt later pled guilty to one charge of racially aggravated threatening or abusive behaviour.
‘I was surprised when it came out’
Representing himself in court last October, Watt said: “We had been good friends before this…it was a storm in a teacup.
“We agreed to shake hands immediately and agreed not to talk about the past.”
The former oil industry worker insisted he wouldn’t ordinarily behave badly, adding: “That type of vocabulary is not my way to speak to people…even in anger.
“That’s why I was surprised when it came out.”
Fears conviction will harm job search
Sheriff McDonald had previously ordered Watt, of Old School Road, New Byth, to behave himself consistently for six months and, if he did, he’d likely be admonished.
Upon hearing that Watt had not reappeared in court since, the sheriff followed through on that promise.
But Watt immediately asked him: “Does that clear my criminal record?
“It’s just, I’m going for a new job on Monday and because I have racism on my police disclosure it’s going to affect my chance of the job.”
Sheriff McDonald told Watt the conviction is already recorded.
“There’s nothing I can do about that. An admonishment is the lowest penalty I can impose for the charge,” the sheriff explained.
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