Homophobic remarks

A GLASGOW construction worker has been fined for making homophobic remarks towards a barman on a Scalloway accommodation vessel.

Lee Fitzpatrick, of 11 Glenacre Gardens, Castlemilk, admitting using abusive language on board the MV Gemini at Blacksness Pier in the early hours of 9 March.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said the 26 year old “started playing the big man” in front of his friends on the boat before becoming “extremely abusive towards staff”.

He used “derogatory homophobic terms” when talking to one particular barman, as well as making threats and swearing at him.

Defence agent Tommy Allan told Lerwick Sheriff Court that his client was so drunk he had “no recollection of the incident at all”.

As a result of the incident he lost his job at Sullom Voe and now works as a ventilation engineer in Liverpool.

Sheriff Philip Mann warned Fitzpatrick that future behaviour like this would probably land him a custodial sentence.

Fining him £350, the sheriff said he hoped he would now “get his life back on track” after the incident.