An Angus man has been warned by his housing association over racist behaviour after launching into an anti-English rant against a neighbour.
Alistair Aitken began a “clenched fist” tirade against a man from Lincoln with a four-letter outburst at their Brechin housing complex on July 4.
The 61-year-old appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court and admitted swearing and gesticulating at him, challenging him to fight and uttering racist remarks in Denburn Court.
Depute fiscal Kirsten Letford said: “The complainer Mr Slater is 54 and lives on the second floor.
“He was born in Lincoln, England.
“The accused and Mr Slater are known to each other.
“At around 8pm Mr Slater entered the locus from the main front entrance.
“He entered the main stairway and saw the accused waiting for the lift.
“Mr Slater states he turned around, nodded and said to the accused ‘all right’.”
Aitken began to shout and swear at him with an anti-English slur.
Mrs Letford added: “He was taken aback by this and the accused continued…although he does not remember the exact terms.
“He was raising a clenched fist and goading him into having a fight.
“He stated he didn’t think the abuse was intended as a joke.”
Defence agent Nick Markowski said the former lorry driver had pleaded guilty by letter at the first opportunity, and was appearing for sentence.
He said: “He stayed there for four years and knew the complainer.
“They had a wee fall out, but nothing serious, some time previously.
“He felt he’d spoken to Mr Slater but that he had snubbed him, and he accepts what he said was unacceptable.
“He’s had a warning from his landlord, Hillcrest Housing Association.
“He said he doesn’t have anything against English people and has friends from England.”
Deferring sentence to April 27 for good behaviour and the preparation of criminal justice social work reports, Sheriff Pino Di Emidio told Aitken: “The court will be particularly concerned that the dust has settled and there will be no repetition of this kind of behaviour.”
Hillcrest’s website describes Denburn Court as serviced accommodation for older single people and couples, and opened the complex in 1992.
The firm was contacted for comment.
