Doorman cleared of being racist

A NIGHTCLUB doorman who offended members of the travelling community has been cleared of being racist.

Kris Scott (26), from Blackford, was charged with acting in a racially aggravated manner by making offensive, abusive and racist comments to three women as they left the Zoo club in Perth.

Student Kathleen Reid (20) told Perth Sheriff Court that Scott had become embroiled in a dispute with a male Traveller.

“The first thing I heard was ‘go and Tarmac your drive’,” she said.

“I took that as an offensive term to Travellers.

“There was a lot of shouting — ‘pikey’ and ‘gypsy’ and other things were being thrown around. That’s an offensive word for a Traveller.”

The case against Scott collapsed after a sheriff ruled that a recent change in the law relating to breach of the peace meant he could not be convicted.

Sheriff Michael Fletcher said that because the comments were directed at the male Traveller, who was not called as a witness, the three women could not be considered the victims.

He said the case made him feel “uneasy” and that he disagreed with the High Court’s position but had no choice.

In light of the sheriff ’s guidance, depute f iscal Rebecca Kynaston said she was not seeking a conviction.