A MAN who went for a workout at a gym on Deeside was subjected to racist abuse.
The man from Kurdistan, who has been in the UK for 10 years, was called a terrorist, a car bomber and an idiot, a court was told.
Adam Christopher Bedford, 21, of Bron Haul, Bagillt, denied a racially aggravated public order following the incident at the gym at Deeside Leisure Centre in Queensferry on October 11.
But he was convicted and placed on a four month community order under which he must follow a 10-day course run by probation officers entitled ERASE – an erasing racism and supporting equality workbook.
Flintshire magistrates also made him subject to a four week curfew from 7pm to 7am, which he asked to be at his girlfriend’s home in Ffordd Dwyfor, Greenfield.
He was ordered to pay £600 compensation and £200 costs.
Bedford, who initially offered £5 a month which was rejected by the court, said he would appeal against the conviction.
“I am the innocent party in all of this,” he said. He denied being a racist.
Magistrates also made an 18 month restraining order under which he is not to approach the victim or go to Deeside Leisure Centre.
The Mold court was told he had been banned from the centre for five years in any event.
Matthew Ellis, prosecuting, said the complainant went to the gym with a friend for a workout.
But as he walked closer to Bedford to pick up a piece of equipment, the defendant swore and called him an idiot.
The complainant asked: “What my friend? What has happened?”
But he was then called a “f****** terrorist bomber”.
When staff intervened and asked Bedford to calm down, he claimed the victim had called him a white English b******.
He then repeatedly shouted ‘car washer, terrorist and car bomber’.
The police were alerted but Bedford left saying: “I will be waiting for you outside.”
Arrested and interviewed, Bedford claimed another man had been ‘eyeballing him’ in a bid to intimidate him.
When the complainant came over to get a piece of equipment, he claimed he himself was called a white p****.
In interview, asked why he had called him a terrorist b******, he said it had been in the heat of the moment.
He admitted he had said he would rip his head off and probably called him dirty and should work in a car wash.
Mr Ellis said the victim had simply been working out in the gym when he was subjected to racist abuse.
Fiona Larking, defending, said Bedford was a mechanic but he suffered mental health problems including anxiety and depression.
He had been under the care of a psychiatrist since the age of 19 and was now seeing a psychologist.
Bedford was medicated for his mental health. He lived with his parents and also stayed with his partner, the mother of his two children.
Miss Larkin said Bedford would not be returning to the leisure centre.
The court was told he had never denied the allegations of racist abuse – the issue had been the provocation he claimed he had received.
With the benefit of hindsight he agreed the things he had said were wrong.