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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Officer convicted of racist abuse | Officer convicted of racist abuse |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A police officer has been fined £500 after being found guilty of racially abusing a nightclub bouncer in Aberdeen because he was black. | A police officer has been fined £500 after being found guilty of racially abusing a nightclub bouncer in Aberdeen because he was black. |
| Grampian Police Det Con Richard Taylor, 30, was thrown out of Tiger Tiger. | Grampian Police Det Con Richard Taylor, 30, was thrown out of Tiger Tiger. |
| Head bouncer Schuwel Miah, 24, told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the officer racially abused him, and had also warned he could lose his job. | Head bouncer Schuwel Miah, 24, told Aberdeen Sheriff Court the officer racially abused him, and had also warned he could lose his job. |
| Mr Miah said after the case he did not want the officer to lose his job, adding: "Everybody makes mistakes". | Mr Miah said after the case he did not want the officer to lose his job, adding: "Everybody makes mistakes". |
| Married father Taylor, who was off-duty at the time, had been ordered to leave the bar and trouble flared when he was not allowed back in. | Married father Taylor, who was off-duty at the time, had been ordered to leave the bar and trouble flared when he was not allowed back in. |
| I'm glad he was found guilty but I don't want him to lose his job. He was very drunk at the time but people make mistakes Schuwel Miah | I'm glad he was found guilty but I don't want him to lose his job. He was very drunk at the time but people make mistakes Schuwel Miah |
| Sheriff Annella Cowan said witnesses had given different accounts of the incident but that there was clear evidence of a racial slur. | Sheriff Annella Cowan said witnesses had given different accounts of the incident but that there was clear evidence of a racial slur. |
| Defence solicitor Peter Shepherd said: "The effects of a conviction on Mr Taylor are potentially quite severe. | Defence solicitor Peter Shepherd said: "The effects of a conviction on Mr Taylor are potentially quite severe. |
| "He has eight years of service. There is no excuse for having too much to drink and there's no dispute that his behaviour was wholly inappropriate." | "He has eight years of service. There is no excuse for having too much to drink and there's no dispute that his behaviour was wholly inappropriate." |
| After the trial, Mr Miah said: "I'm glad he was found guilty but I don't want him to lose his job. He was very drunk at the time but people make mistakes. | After the trial, Mr Miah said: "I'm glad he was found guilty but I don't want him to lose his job. He was very drunk at the time but people make mistakes. |
| "It's very shocking to hear anyone using racial remarks, but even more so when a police officer is involved, especially of this ranking. | "It's very shocking to hear anyone using racial remarks, but even more so when a police officer is involved, especially of this ranking. |
| "This should send a clear message to everyone that racial abuse is not acceptable." | "This should send a clear message to everyone that racial abuse is not acceptable." |
| 'Highest standards' | 'Highest standards' |
| Supt Iain McGrory, head of professional standards for Grampian Police, said: "Grampian Police and the public expect the highest standards of conduct from our staff and this officer has fallen far short of the standards we demand. | Supt Iain McGrory, head of professional standards for Grampian Police, said: "Grampian Police and the public expect the highest standards of conduct from our staff and this officer has fallen far short of the standards we demand. |
| "Naturally, we are disappointed a member of our staff has been convicted of this crime. | "Naturally, we are disappointed a member of our staff has been convicted of this crime. |
| "I will be submitting a report on the circumstances to the deputy chief constable for his consideration in due course." | "I will be submitting a report on the circumstances to the deputy chief constable for his consideration in due course." |
| He added: "While it is accepted staff have a life to lead outside their working environment, it is also expected they will conduct themselves in accordance with our values." | He added: "While it is accepted staff have a life to lead outside their working environment, it is also expected they will conduct themselves in accordance with our values." |
| Meanwhile, the case against a former Scottish Premier League referee accused of making racist remarks was dropped. | |
| Michael Ritchie, 49, from Aberdeen, denied the charge of racially aggravated breach of the peace when he made comments at Aberdeen's Mannofield Cricket Club last November. | |
| The Crown Office decided not to take further court proceedings. |