Man took transgender person’s wig in street

COURT: Peter Esplin fined £180 for the ‘immature’ offence

A “stupid” offender who took a transgender person’s wig and waved it around in an Arbroath street has been fined.

Peter Esplin appeared at Forfar Sheriff Court for sentencing having previously been placed on a six-month good behaviour order for the August 2015 incident.

Esplin, 20, of Millfield Place, Arbroath, was convicted under the Offences (Aggravation by Prejudice) (Scotland) Act of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner in Arbroath’s Millgate, shouting anti- transgender comments and taking and brandishing a wig to the distress of its wearer, in an offence aggravated by prejudice relating to transgender identity.

A 17-year-old co-accused, who cannot be named for legal reasons, also appeared for sentence having previously admitted behaving in a threatening manner and making anti-transgender comments in the incident.

Esplin’s solicitor, Lynne Sturrock, told Sheriff Pino Di Emidio that at a previous calling of the case, his colleague, Sheriff Gregor Murray had commented that the pair had acted stupidly, but had not gone out looking for trouble.

“He (Esplin) has been of good behaviour and this seems to be very much a one-off incident for him. He described it himself as a stupid and immature night,” she added.

Solicitor Grant Bruce, for the teenage co-accused, said his client had also been of good behaviour during the deferral.

Fining Farquhar £180, Sheriff Di Emidio said: “You are older and it must be clear to you the seriousness which these matters will be dealt with by the court.”

He admonished the co-accused.