Englishman fined for racism after insulting Welsh policeman

An Englishman was fined for a racism offence yesterday after telling a policeman: "I don't like you because you're Welsh." Lorry driver Royce Mackett, 51, called in police after his mobile phone was stolen. But a court heard he had a "heated" exchange when two officers from South Wales police arrived to investigate.

Prosecutor Lucy Dowdall said: "He told them: 'I don't like you because you're Welsh, you're breathing and you're here'." Mackett was charged with using racially aggravated threatening words by magistrates in Rhondda, South Wales.



The court heard Mackett was an Englishman who had moved to live in the Welsh valleys for work - but was now living off disability benefits after a traffic accident. Mackett spelt out his address in Aberllechau Road, Rhondda, in court after telling magistrates he could not pronounce the Welsh names.

Anthony Ormond, defending, said: "He was slightly aggrieved at the lack of progress being made by the officers. Yes, there were insulting words of a racist element but there was no violence offered to the officers." Mackett was fined £35 with £85 costs after admitting using racially aggravated threatening words.