A shop worker returning home at night after his shift was subjected to racist abuse on a bus in Dunfermline.
The victim was a black man born in London and the culprit was a Polish national, who required a translator when he appeared for trial at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.
In the dock was 42-year-old Milosz Witkowski, of Dundas Street, Townhill.
He was convicted of a charge that on May 12, 2022, during a bus journey in Dunfermline, he shouted, repeatedly made offensive remarks to a man and placed his arm in front of him to prevent him leaving the bus.
The victim told the court he had finished his work at B&Q at 10pm and was at Dunfermline bus station when he was confronted by a drunk stranger, who turned out to be Witkowski.
Witkowski made a comment to him about rap music, which he ignored.
The man got on the bus and took a seat when Witkowski followed on behind and said: “Where’s my black b******”.
Witkowski then sat down next to the man, who got up and moved towards the back of the bus.
Later in the journey Witkowski went up beside the man again and started asking him about where he was born.
He said: “I told him London but he said he didn’t believe me.”
The man was travelling to Kirkcaldy but got off early at Dunfermline Leisure Park because of Witkowski’s behaviour. He phoned his girlfriend who came and picked him up.
Witkowski, who was representing himself, said he had been drinking at home before the incident.
He claimed the “black b******” comment and had been about at his kitten, which he had with him on the bus.
Sheriff Garry Sutherland found Witkowski guilty and described his behaviour as “deplorable”. He deferred sentencing for reports until April 4.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel