Pontypool man avoids jail for cider-fuelled racist outburst (From Free Press Series)

Pontypool man avoids jail for cider-fuelled racist outburst

12:50pm Monday 18th February 2013 in News

A CUSTOMER who racially abused and harassed a shop worker was fined.

Nathanial Lawlor, 19, abused shop owner Shahnaz Naeem several tines when she asked him to move away from the till at her store in Pontypool, a court heard.

Lawlor had downed 12 pints of cider when he insulted her, Cwmbran Magistrates’ Court heard.

Ms Naeem of the Penygarn Store, Central Drive, was left “intimidated” by the incident last month, prosecutor Ruth Hale said.

Lawlor, of Graves Court, Pontypool, admitted one count of causing racially aggravated harassment on February 14.

He was still the subject of a suspended, 34-week custodial sentence given to him in August, the bench was told.

Magistrates fined jobless Lawlor £75 with £85 prosecution costs, an £80 victim surcharge and ordered him to pay £50 compensation to Ms Naeem.

The January 14 incident was captured on CCTV and police arrested him on January 29.

His solicitor, Mike Heames, said Lawlor did not remember the incident clearly and understood he had drunk the 12 pints of cider “very quickly”.

Mr Heames added the outburst was “very stupid” but added it had been short.