A Swindon man told a police community support officer to ‘go back to your own country’ as she tried to help him, a court heard.
Robert Mason, 65, appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court today charged with using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards PCSO Ludmilla Braga.
Appearing via video link from Gablecross Police Station, the defendant, of Gerard Walk, Grange Park, admitted the offence dated back to 19 November 2019.
Crown prosecutor Keith Ballinger told the court PCSO Braga and colleagues were called to an address in Pinehurst Road at around 8.15pm, where the occupants of an address had returned home to find intoxicated Mason on their doorstep, blocking entry.
On arrival, they found him laying on the floor. He told officers that he was ok and refused to engage with them – replying that “it’s none of your business” to questions asked.
He’s said to have repeatedly told the responding officers to “f**k off”, when he was told to move. He continued to refuse to move and the two occupants of the property continued to wait to gain entry.
Mason continued laying on the floor, with officers trying to encourage him to move. He responded to PCSO Braga’s efforts with: “Go back to your country, you don’t belong to this country”.
Adding: “F**k off you fat *ss b**ch, f**k off out of here or I’ll sort you out”.
In her statement, PCSO Braga said “I do not come to work to be abused”.
During a police interview once sober, Mason told officers he had been drinking vodka with others in an alleyway behind Milton Road at 3pm, but couldn’t remember heading to Pinehurst. It was suggested he was going to see a friend, who lives on the same road but could not recall the journey.
He said he would not have been racist but if he had been, it was completely out of character.
It was heard that Mason has a previous conviction for a racially aggravated public order offence against a police officer.
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Defending, Gordon Hotson said his client could not recall the incident but accepted the words he used. He apologised to the PCSO for what he said. He’s said to have accepted what he did and acknowledged his behaviour would have been upsetting for anyone who heard it.
Mason has been suffering from alcoholism since the age of 16, advocate Mr Hotson added.
He said the defendant had expressed clear remorse, is not in the best physical health – now using two walking sticks. He also told the court Mason had collapsed in custody last night and had to be treated by paramedics.
“The hope and aim is to get him into rehab, the application is in progress”, Mr Hotson commented.
Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order with 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days, fined him £200 and told him to pay PCSO Braga £100 compensation. He must also pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge.
