A champion strongman posted racially aggravated online comments about Muslims.
Liam Calder ranted on social media after reading a follow-up to a Press and Journal story about a teenager from the Highland capital becoming radicalised.
In a Facebook message littered with spelling mistakes and swear words, he said the 18-year-old should be “named and shamed” and some people should be sent back to “their own” countries.
It emerged during his trial at Inverness Sheriff Court yesterday that although no one complained about his comments, Calder was caught after police were ordered to patrol social media for retaliation.
Calder, of Flat 2, Waterloo Place, Inverness was found guilty of making racially aggravated offensive comments on Facebook and fined £700.
He wrote: “Inverness!! I have a mosque on my doorstep. Get all these (expletive) back to there own countrys, shouldn’t be aloud to preach over hear!
“And as far as that little 18 year old, name and shame the little (expletive).”
One online poster agreed that extremists should be sent back to the desert, and Calder responded: “It ain’t even a religion that they follow, it is a cult.”
Sheriff Gordon Fleetwood said: “I can think of few examples that I have seen that more than meet the requirements of an abusive and threatening racist breach of the peace.”
But Calder, who is the Highlands’ strongest man and will compete for the Scottish title next month, said after the case: “I am not happy at being convicted of making racist comments against a potential terrorist and other terrorists.
“I was not referring to Muslims in general, only the extremists. I have many friends of many races and I am not racist.
“There wasn’t much difference between my sentiments and that of Donald Trump. There was no complaint by any member of the public.
“This was reported by the police. Everyone has been very supportive of me but I am no longer on Facebook.
“I will concentrate on my charity fundraising events in future and the Scottish Strongman and Powerlifting Championships”
In evidence he said: “My comments were intended to be private. I didn’t intend for the world at large to read them.”
