Pensioner fined for sending “vile and gratuitously offensive” letters to Muslim MP

BBC News Scotland and Shetland News report on the fine imposed on a pensioner who sent Scottish Muslim MP, Tasmina Ahmed-Shaikh, a series of “vile and gratuitously offensive” letters last year.

David Crozier, 68, admitted sending messages containing offensive and abusive comments aggravated by religious prejudice when he appeared before Lerwick Sheriff Court last month. He claimed he was merely “expressing an opinion and exercising his right to freedom of speech” when challenged over the abuse directed at Ms Ahmed-Shaikh’s Muslim identity.

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told Lerwick Sheriff Court that the only reason Crozier had corresponded with the MP for the Scottish National Party was “her faith”.

Crozier was fined £500 and ordered not to make contact with the MP for Ochil and South Perthshire for five years.