Racist carpet fitter given community service order

A CARPET fitter who racially abused Italian rugby fans on a train from Glasgow to Edinburgh has been sentenced to community service.

Edinburgh Sheriff Court heard Andrew Fraser, 30, of Southhouse Drive, had initially enjoyed good natured banter with the group.

But fiscal Pauline Shade told the court: “He began swearing and shouting ‘We are the people’ and talking about ‘f****** Italians’.”

Another passenger tried to calm the situation, said Ms Shade, and Fraser then threatened to “use a blade”. A member of on-train staff contacted the British Transport Police and, on the train’s arrival at Waverley, Fraser was arrested.

The incident took place on March 18 this year, the evening before the international between Scotland and Italy at Murrayfield.

Fraser was placed on a Community Pay Back Order for 12 months and ordered to perform 150 hours of unpaid work.