A foul-mouthed woman could face jail after launching an unprovoked racial attack on a Specsavers worker – a day after appearing in court for the same offence.
Louise Thompson spat and racially abused Rebecca Chan on September 29 last year.
Cops arrested the 27-year-old in October then she appeared at Paisley Sheriff Court on November 3 where she was released on bail with conditions not to enter Specsavers in The Avenue shopping centre, Newton Mearns, or to approach or contact Ms Chan.
However, the very next day, Thompson turned up at the store and made a “beeline” for Ms Chan where she went on to carry out an unprovoked attack – issuing multiple racial slurs.
Prosecutor David Gallagher told the court: “Around 2.55pm, witnesses Chan and Barnes were working in Specsavers.
“Chan observed the accused within the shop and approached her to offer assistance. Thompson stated she was waiting for someone and then asked Chan, ‘Are you Chinese?’
“Chan replied, ‘Yes’ and then, unprovoked and without saying anything further, the accused deliberately and forcefully spat on the face and right arm of Chan with most of the spit hitting Chan’s Covid-19 mask which she was wearing.
“Thompson then smiled and left the shop. Chan, who was shocked and scared, ran to wash herself and the witness Barnes called police and shopping centre security.
“Chan retained the Covid-19 mask in a plastic bag to give it to police.”
The court heard a description of Thompson was passed to security staff and police took statements from the Specsavers staff.
On October 5, the accused was observed by security staff at the shopping centre and they contacted police. Officers traced and arrested Thompson.
Thompson was later released on a police undertaking to appear at court where she was subsequently granted bail with conditions.
However, the following day, Thompson breached these conditions and launched a racial verbal volley towards Ms Chan.
Mr Gallagher explained: “Between 1.30pm and 2pm on November 4, Chan was working in Specsavers with the witness Carey. The accused entered the store and immediately made a beeline for Chan in an aggressive manner.
“Upon reaching Chan, the accused carried out an unprovoked attack on her by swinging both of her arms, striking Chan’s arms who had raised them in self-defence.
“Chan was able to get a hold of one of Thompson’s wrists, preventing her from further attacking her and she shouted for help.
“Thompson swore and shouted at Chan, ‘Get back to your f*****g country’ and ‘Go back to your communist country’.
“Carey was able to intervene and prevent the accused from attacking Chan further by grabbing her and pulling her away.”
The court heard a security guard attended and made “several attempts” to calm Thompson but she continued to racially abuse Chan.
Mr Gallagher added: “Thompson called Chan, ‘A b***k b***h, ‘you b***k c**t,’ ‘you f*****g s**t’ and ‘a f*****g p***y’.
“Thompson was ushered out of the store into the busy concourse of the shopping centre which was full of members of the public, including children.
“Police officers attended and noted the accused to be slightly intoxicated through alcohol and she confirmed she has been drinking Fosters beer, Guinness and vodka. Checks carried out by officers revealed she had live bail conditions.
“While under caution, Thompson stated to police, ‘Aye, I’ve been drinking Fosters, Guinness and vodka, I came back and attacked that c****y’ – she stated this several times.
“Upon making this statement, the accused was observed to be smirking and giggling away to herself and appeared rather proud of her own actions and choice of language.”
Defence agent Mr Mullen called for background reports and reserved “what little mitigation there is” until they were compiled.
Sheriff Eoin McGinty stated: “These were dreadful offences on the first instance. She was granted bail with conditions and her behaviour escalated for no particular reason towards this individual the very next day.”
Sheriff McGinty deferred sentence for the preparation of a criminal justice social work report and a restriction of liberty order assessment.
Thompson, described as a prisoner at Edinburgh, was remanded in custody meantime and will return to court on February 9 for sentencing.
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