A Swindon baguette bar owner accused a police officer of touching his penis before shouting homophobic abuse whilst in custody.
52-year-old Timothy Scott appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court this morning charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress.
Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger said the police control room had received a number of calls from the defendant threatening to harm his son in the early hours of 9 December last year.
Police officers, including police sergeant (PS) Richard Tottle, were immediately dispatched to his home address in Wrenswood, Covingham. They forced entry into the property after receiving no answer at the door, finding Scott under a duvet in his living room.
The businessman was subsequently arrested and taken to Gablecross Police Station. But as he was being escorted to a holding cell in custody, he is said to have become volatile and aggressive.
He said to PS Tottle: ‘You touched my c**k, you dirty b**tard’, before shouting: ‘You gay homosexual c**t’, along with other vile and abusive phrases.
In a victim personal statement, the officer said he had been working for the police for 26 years and has many friends in the LGBT community.
He went on to say he has previously worked as a gay liaison officer but is not part of the LGBT community himself. He was ‘deeply offended’ by Scott’s comments.
Defending, Emma Hillier said her client, who has owned Tim’s Baguette Bar in Rodbourne for 20 years, previously wrote a letter of apology, posting it directly to Gablecross Police Station via recorded delivery.
She said Scott’s actions that night were a result of mental health issues and drink or drugs had not played any part. He has since been diagnosed with pseudohallucinations.
The court heard that he has self-referred to mental health services for support.
Taking into account his remorse, his efforts to get help for mental health issues and keeping his business afloat during the pandemic, magistrates imposed a fine of £346. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £35 and costs of £85.
Scott must pay compensation of £200 to PS Tottle.
