Carlisle Woman Fined After Racist Comment Towards Housing Worker

A woman has been fined after making a racist comment towards a housing worker at Carlisle Civic Centre while intoxicated.

Carlisle Magistrates’ Court heard that Danielle Young, 38, was brought to the reception area of the Cumberland Council building by police on the afternoon of April 21. She had a scheduled appointment with a member of the housing team.

Staff offered Young water in an attempt to help her sober up before the appointment. However, due to her intoxicated state and behaviour, which was considered alarming, a decision was made that she could not be assessed.

After the male housing employee had left the reception area, Young made a racist remark apparently directed at him. Other people in the building heard the comment.

A female colleague of the housing worker told the court that she perceived the words to be motivated by hatred.

In an impact statement, the employee explained that his role involved supporting vulnerable people and that he should not have to face abuse while carrying out his duties. He also said he believed Young had made assumptions about him based on his skin colour.

Young, of Marks Avenue, Carlisle, pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence.

The court heard that she had no memory of the incident and had since stopped drinking alcohol following a diagnosis of liver cirrhosis.

District Judge Philip Holden condemned the behaviour during sentencing, describing the remark as a vile racist comment directed at someone who was there to help her.

Young was fined £180and ordered to pay £85 in prosecution costsand a £72 surcharge, bringing the total financial penalty to £337.

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