Sentencing deferred in case of pair who racially abused Humza Yousaf

Sentence has been delayed until 16 November.

Humza Yousaf and Shona Robison
Author: Kara ConwayPublished 3rd Oct 2023
Last updated 3rd Oct 2023

A new date has been set for the sentencing of two people who admitted racially abusing First Minister Humza Yousaf and hurling offensive remarks at other SNP politicians.

Tracie Currie, 35, and Carl O'Brien, 25, had previously pleaded guilty to racially abusing Mr Yousaf in Dundee on 25 February.

On Tuesday, at a hearing in Dundee Sheriff Court, sheriff Alistair Carmichael deferred sentence to 16 November.

Solicitor Theo Findlay had said that O'Brien, who was not present at the hearing, was working offshore and would not be back in Scotland until later in the month.

Court papers have detailed how the pair repeatedly made racist remarks about Mr Yousaf and also made prejudiced comments about religion in the city's Seagate.

Following this, they directed verbal abuse towards local SNP MSP Shona Robison, who is now Deputy First Minister, and MP Chris Law at the party's parliamentary office on Old Glamis Road on the same day.

The court papers said O'Brien also repeatedly phoned the Dundee SNP parliamentary office and made offensive remarks the previous day, on February 24.

Nominations for the SNP leadership contest closed that day, and Mr Yousaf was one of three candidates.

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