Drunk bomb expert racially abused shop staff

Published on Wednesday 2 June 2010 10:00

A BOMB disposal expert became racially abusive at a supermarket in the Capital after binge drinking, a court heard today.

Roderick Grindlay committed a breach of the peace and racially abused staff at a Scotmid store in Leith Walk on 3 April this year, the city's Sheriff Court was told.

Grindlay of Brougham Street, admitted the offences.

Fiscal Depute, Mairi Vernon, told Sheriff James Scott that just after 7pm a supervisor became aware of a disturbance at the till area.

Grindlay was shouting loudly at a female customer and being abusive to her.

He was quite agitated and when the supervisor approached him he became racially abusive and shouted he should go back to his own country.

Ms Vernon said other customers pushed Grindlay out of the store and watched as he went across the road into a pub.

The police were contacted and arrested him there.

Defence agent, Paul Dunn said Grindlay, a civilian attached to the Army in "explosive ordinance clearance", had begun binge drinking and had been drinking all day.

He was deeply ashamed of his conduct, said Mr Dunn, as he did not regard himself as a racist.

He travelled all over the world with the Army on "hands-on" bomb disposal work and got on well with all nationalities.

"This is a high pressure job and cannot realistically be done by someone with a long-term alcohol problem" said the solicitor. Grindlay, he added, had sought counselling and was being referred to a psychologist for treatment.

Sheriff Scott deferred sentence until December for Grindlay to be of good behaviour and to undergo treatment and counselling.