A police officer said he felt "vile” and not welcome in Wales after he was told to "go back to your own country" by a drunk young man who wanted to call his mum after he was arrested and taken to a police cell.
Detention and escort officer PC Jam Fredrick, who was working the night shift at Newtown Police Station on August 13 last year, said he was “hurt and afraid” by Josh Irvin’s comment.
The 21-year-old of Lon Pinwydd, Newtown, pleaded guilty to using threatening, abusive or insulting words that were racially aggravated when he appeared at Welshpool Magistrates' Court on February 28.
"I’d like to apologise deeply to PC Jam Frederick for my rash comments," Irvin told the court. "It was very out of character for me, and it will never happen again.”
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Irvin was ordered to pay a £200 fine for the offence and £100 in compensation to PC Fredrick, as well as £165 in court costs and surcharges.
The court heard that Irvin was verbally abusive, punching the cell walls and throwing furniture around at Newtown Police Station on August 13 last year when he demanded to phone his mum.
Helen Tench, prosecuting, said Irvin then shouted and ranted, telling PC Fredrick to "go back to your own country".
"This upset him, and he removed himself from the cell," Mrs Tench said.
In a victim impact statement read in court by the prosecutor, PC Fredrick said: "It made me feel vile. Being black and from an ethnic minority, it made me feel not welcome here in Wales or in the UK.
"I knew remaining professional is a must and I had a duty of care for him."
PC Fredrick said that he was "hurt and afraid", adding that there are not many black or ethnic minority colleagues that he could go to for support.
Robert Hanratty, acting for Irvin, said: "It's a shame this was not dealt with a community resolution. There were no swear words, no reference to colour or race, it was clearly indirect.
"PC Fredrick took offence and Mr Irvin was extremely remorseful.
"Mr Irvin had been to a celebration and was very intoxicated and this is what happens when you can't handle your drink.
"It was a throwaway comment in the circumstances that he was in custody.
"Hopefully this is his first and only appearance in court."
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