Racism towards officers

A THIRTY one year old man who made racist remarks to police officers about their Scottish heritage was fined at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

Andrezj Galebiewski, of 70 Breiwick Road, Lerwick, admitted shouting, swearing and making racist remarks to three officers at the Lerwick police station on 12 August.

He also pleaded guilty to breaking a satellite dish at an address in the town’s King Harald Street on the same day by forcing it to bend and break beyond repair.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said Galebiewski was “heavily intoxicated” and in an “inexplicable act of stupidity” leaned against a ground-level satellite dish while walking home.

He damaged the dish – to the tune of £300 – and prompted the onlooking householder to call the police.

Galebiewski was then taken to the nearby station, but “seemed to take offence to the police officers’ Scottish heritage”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said his client lost his job and accommodation after the incident.

He added that Galebiewski’s racist remarks stemmed from language he’d heard on building sites in Glasgow, with the man not realising how “offensive” it was.

Sheriff Mark Thorley ordered Galebiewski to pay £300 compensation for the satellite dish and fined him £375 for his behaviour.