Fines and community order for dad who shouted abuse at couple

A FATHER-OF-TWO who shouted homophobic abuse outside the home of a gay couple has now been handed a community order.

North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard that Alex Johnson drunkenly banged on the door of their property in Leek town centre one night.

The 36-year-old began shouting ‘gay ******** ’ and then continued to hurl insults when one of the victims went downstairs after hearing the noise.

The man described seeing the defendant behaving ‘menacingly’ towards him. “I honestly thought he was going to assault me,” he recalled.

But Johnson walked away after the other member of the couple started shouting back at him from the flat.

Ian Shaw, prosecuting, told the court: “He picked his beer up that he had been carrying. It seemed quite clear that he was under the influence of drink or drugs. He was struggling to walk.”

The couple who were targeted by the defendant felt ‘violated and extremely angry’ following the incident.

Now Johnson, of Belle Vue, Leek, has pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress on February 1.

Magistrates handed him a 12-month community order, including a requirement to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and pay a £120 fine.

In a victim personal statement, one of the men said they had felt ‘incensed’ at being abused for their sexuality.

He added: “I have been targeted by a member of the public who I do not know at my home address.”

The man said he and his partner had previously been ‘made to feel very welcome and happy living in our local community.’ But the incident has now left them on edge.

“Every time I hear a noise, I worry about what is going to happen,” he said.

Angela Trafford, mitigating, said the defendant had acted ‘completely out of character’ that night and felt ‘very ashamed.’

“He accepts full responsibility for his behaviour and is remorseful,” she told magistrates. “He has had some difficulties with regards to his mental health, although that’s under control at the moment.

“He is not a gentleman who has homophobic tendencies. To that end, he has produced a character notice from a friend who is gay.

“The friend has never witnessed any discriminatory or homophobic behaviour from him. He’s attended gay events and clubs with Alex.”

As well as the community order, Johnson must pay £135 court costs and a £95 victim surcharge.