A foul-mouthed mum racially abused a restaurant boss after repeatedly complaining about an order she got from his takeaway shop.
Sharlene Hamilton, 43, branded Khaled Hashim a “P*** b******” during a ranting phone call to his business, Babylon, in Main Street, Elderslie.
Paisley Sheriff Court heard Hamilton, who works in the food industry herself, ordered a delivery on February 13 from Babylon, but promptly phoned Mr Hashim to complain about the food.
Procurator fiscal depute Abbas Ali told the court: “Khaled Hashim was at Babylon, working in the capacity as the owner at around 6.30pm.
“He received a telephone call requiring a delivery from Sharlene Hamilton and the delivery was dispatched to the accused’s address.
“A short time later, the accused contacted the business to complain about the order.
“A second order was prepared and also delivered to the accused.
“However, at 9.22pm the accused contacted the restaurant again and made further complaints.
“During the course of the conversation on the telephone, an argument ensued.
“Hamilton called Mr Hashim a ‘P*** b*******.’
“The complainer, who was recording this telephone call, reported the matter to police.”
Cops attended the restaurant, listened to the call and took details from the owner, before visiting Hamilton at her home in Johnstone, where she was cautioned and charged.
She replied to cops: “I know I should not have done it.”
She appeared at court before Sheriff Suhkwinder Gill yesterday, where she pleaded guilty to a charge of acting in a racially aggravated manner, likely to cause alarm and distress to Mr Hashim, by uttering racial remarks during a telephone call.
Defence agent Paul Coyle said mum-of-two Hamilton wanted to “apologise for her behaviour”.
He said: “She is embarrassed by it.
“She knows it is an unacceptable way to behave.
“She does accept responsibilty for this offence and would like to apologise for her behaviour.
“Ironically, she works in the catering industry herself, but has been placed on furlough.”
He explained that the first offender was willing to pay a financial penalty for the offence.
Sheriff Suhkwinder Gill told her: “I am amazed that people like you still use the ‘P’ word.
“And I can’t believe a woman with no previous conviction, with young children, can come out with such a word.
“It was appalling behaviour. A word I have heard on many occasions, but it still makes me cringe.”
She fined Hamilton £570 and reminded her she owes Mr Hashim an apology, telling her to “apologise to the man in person”.
