Making a reference to the 1970s TV cartoon show Hong Kong Phooey during a confrontation with a neighbour saw a former Fife special constable end up in court.
Derek Mitchell, 49, of East Mill Court, admitted acting in a racially-aggravated manner towards Louise Cheuk by uttering a racist remark on June 17.
Cupar Sheriff Court heard Mrs Cheuk and her husband were near neighbours of Mr Mitchell. Mr Cheuk was born in Hong Kong and is of Asian appearance.
On the day of the offence, Mrs Cheuk had got into her car when Mitchell stormed towards her.
He appeared to be very angry and began raising his voice. He accused her husband of being a pervert, to which she responded by telling him not to be silly.
Mitchell told her: “I hope your husband is good at Hong Kong Phooey.”
Mr Cheuk arrived on the scene and managed to usher Mitchell away.
When he was arrested the following day, Mitchell told police: “I feel it is totally unjust. I never made any racial comment.”
However, his solicitor told the court he now accepted he made a comment that was racist in nature, although he had not intended to do so.
“It was a flippant remark,” he said.
Mitchell had been told by family members that Mr Cheuk had been looking in the windows of their home. It was this issue he had wished to address with Mrs Cheuk.
Mitchell’s solicitor added that his client had spent nine years as a special constable and was a first-offender.
Sheriff Charles Macnair said: “I accept that this was at the lower end of seriousness and take into account that you have been of good character up until now.”
Mitchell had sentence deferred until January 9 for him to be of good behaviour. Hong Kong Phooey was an American animated series created in 1974.
It was a parody of the kung fu TV shows and movies popular at the time and featured a police station janitor who transformed himself into a clumsy crime-fighter who used martial arts.