A foul-mouthed racist rant at a Perth store security guard has cost a local man his freedom.
Suspected shoplifter Daniel Cahill was confronted as he attempted to leave the Primark store in the city’s High Street after he was seen “acting suspiciously”.
But he reacted furiously when the employee asked to check his back pack.
Thirty-one-year-old Cahill, of York Place, screamed at him: “Punjabi c***, Punjabi b****** and black b******.”
He then told him: “Go back to your own country,” explained depute fiscal Joanne Ritchie.
The accused loudly protested his innocence and was “taken to one side as staff attempted to calm him down”.
Cahill left the premises at one point but returned and shouted at the store manager: “You should employ security guards from the UK.”
He also threatened to “slash up” the guard.
The depute fiscal described the remarks as “highly offensive” and the police were called.
Cahill, who appeared at Perth Sheriff Court via video link, was jailed for a total of 180 days after pleading guilty to three charges.
He admitted acting in an aggressive manner in Primark on May 10, 2021, by shouting and swearing, making comments of a racially prejudiced nature and uttering violent threats.
He was subject to two bail orders at that time.
He also stole a jacket, a set of keys and earphones from outside a barber’s shop in Perth’s South Street and helped himself to alcohol worth almost £130 from the nearby Tesco store.
Solicitor Gary Foulis said: “He has little recollection of the offences.
“He was having difficulties with substance misuse.
“He’s had a torrid time for a significant number of years.
“He’s the author of his own misfortunes.”
The theft of the jacket, which was on a chair outside the barber’s, was described as “opportunistic”.
The lawyer added that his client had spent about 44 days on remand on a petition matter.
Imposing consecutive jail terms of 60 days on each offence, Sheriff Neil Bowie told him there was “little scope” for any other disposals.
He added: “The security guard was subjected to abuse in a disgraceful way.”
