A farm worker has been fined £1000 after hurling sectarian and homophobic abuse at police during an Edinburgh city centre incident.
Thomas Fairbairn told police that he was attacked during a night out, but when informed that they were dealing with another incident, he turned and went on the abusive foul-mouthed rant.
The Daily Record report how Fairbairn, from the Scottish Borders, was arrested for calling officers "f*****n b*****ds" and "gay c***s."
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The 24-year-old appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and admitted a charge of threatening or abusive behaviour. The charge was aggravated by prejudice relating to sexual orientation and religion.
Fiscal depute Abbie McKerlie said the cops had arrested another person for an unrelated matter and had them in their police vehicle.
The incident took place on September 5, 2021, where Fairbairn approached the vehicle on Hanover Street in the city centre at around 1:20am and asked to make a report.
The prosecutor said Fairbairn was told the officers were unable to assist due to the individual they had in custody.
The court heard Fairbairn made the sectarian and homophobic remarks. He was arrested and taken to St Leonards police station.
Defence agent Joe Mooney said his client had lived a “charmed” life and was earning £30,000-a-year after studying agriculture at college.
Mr Mooney said Fairbairn was “very much in demand in the farming community” during the lambing season and also drove lorries.
The solicitor said Fairbairn used the offensive language while drinking and something wasn’t “going his way”.
Mr Mooney said Fairbairn had not been seriously injured when he was assaulted.
Sheriff Fiona Tait told Fairbairn, of Melrose in the Scottish Borders, that the court took a “dim view of conduct like this towards police”. She fined him £1000.
