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Court / Man admits shouting racial insult to woman waiting for bus

Jury trials are set

A TEENAGER has admitted stepping out of a Lerwick pub and shouting a racial slur at a young woman while she waited at a town centre bus stop.

Mike Laurenson, 18, of Bigton, had sentence deferred for a criminal justice report after pleading guilty to the racially aggravated offence when he appeared at Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday.

The court heard that there had been no prior exchange between Laurenson and the complainer, who is also 18, before he shouted “n*gger” at her at the Esplanade on 5 June this year.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said it was “really quite difficult to know where to start”. The incident took place at around 5.30pm when Laurenson stepped outside the Thule Bar and shouted across the road at the complainer, who was waiting to catch a bus home.

“The only reason for him doing that was the colour of her skin,” Mackenzie told the court, adding it was “difficult to think of a more offensive word to use”.

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Two others who were with Laurenson apologised to the complainer, who was “very upset” and did not reply.

After thinking about it for a few days she subsequently contacted the police.

Mackenzie added that Laurenson had later said he was “very sorry” and it was “something I’d take back if I could”.

Defence agent Tommy Allan said there was nothing to be offered in mitigation for his client’s action: “There is no valid reason or justification,” he said.

Sentence was deferred until 18 August while a criminal justice report is prepared.

If you have been affected by crime, help is available. Whether you are victim, a witness, or the accused, you can find independent, impartial, and confidential support in Shetland.

For victims of general crime:

For anyone affected by crime & harm seeking a restorative approach:

For anyone affected by gender-based violence, including domestic abuse, coercive control, stalking, sexual assault, and rape:

Shetland Women’s Aid

Phone: 01595 692070
Web: https://www.shetlandwa.org
Email: office@shetlandwa.org

The Compass Centre (Shetland Rape Crisis)

Phone: 01595 744402 or 08088 010302
Web: https://www.compasscentre.org
Email: contact@compasscentre.org

For anyone affected by substance use:

Shetland Recovery Hub and Community Network

Phone: 01595 744402
Web: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100075791869200
Email: recoveryhub@shetland.gov.uk

Shetland Alcohol & Drug Partnership

Phone: 01595 743060 or 07342 077789
Web: https://shetlandadp.org.uk
Email: shet.sadp@nhs.scot

Substance Use Recovery Service

Phone: 01595 743006

 
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