A GP surgery receptionist racially abused her neighbour. Danielle Gourlay, who works at the New Cross Surgery in Morriston, Swansea, was fined after admitting a racially-aggravated breach of the Crime and Disorder Act.
The 39-year-old, of Regent Street West in Briton Ferry, appeared at Swansea Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and was ordered to pay £615. Gourlay told WalesOnline she would "hopefully" be able to continue in her receptionist role, adding: "Whatever I said wasn't meant in that intent." She declined to comment further.
Her offence of "threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress" took place on September 24 last year. Gourlay initially denied the racially-aggravated offence against her neighbour before pleading guilty on the day of trial.
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Magistrates ordered Gourlay to pay a £225 fine, £300 in prosecution costs, and a £90 victim services surcharge. She will pay the court at a rate of £50 per month.
In a statement the Cwmtawe Medical Group, which runs New Cross practice in Sway Road, told WalesOnline: "We will follow the internal processes we have in place regarding employees. We are unable to comment further."
Cwmtawe Medical Group provides NHS services under contract with Swansea Bay University Health Board. The health board declined to comment. You can read more of the latest Welsh court news here.
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