An Angus man has been fined £400 for posting a racist Valentine’s poem on Facebook.
In the poem Craig Cook (28), of Barry Downs Caravan Park, between Carnoustie and Monifieth, made disparaging remarks about Muslims, Pakistanis and Polish people.
He had previously admitted that at Barry Downs Caravan Park and the Panmure Hotel in Tay Street, Monifieth, on Valentine’s Day, he conducted himself in a disorderly manner and published on Facebook comments that were racially offensive and inflammatory and in doing so did commit a breach of the peace.
Depute fiscal Arlene Shaw told Arbroath Sheriff Court that Cook had been sacked from his job at the hotel a few days before posting the poem on his Facebook wall.
She said his previous employer had been alerted to the poem and contacted the police, thinking it might have been directed towards him.
The depute fiscal added: ”The accused was detained, interviewed, admitted posting the message but denied that it was aimed at anyone. He stated that it was a joke and made no reply to caution and charge.”
Defence agent Nick Whelan admitted his client had been ”particularly stupid” to put the poem on a social networking site ”for all to see”.
He added that Cook was now working as a chef in Dundee earning approximately £250 a week and would be able to pay a fine or a community payback order.
Sheriff Peter Paterson said that since Cook was working he would impose a fine.
He added: ”I see that you are shaking your head in the dock but this is a serious offence that the court does not accept in any way.”