A Carlisle man who drunkenly delivered a volley of vile racial abuse to the wife of a city pub landlord has been sentenced by a judge.
John Reay, 42, was initially heard shouting and swearing inside the Andalusian bar on Warwick Road, at around 7.30pm on October 14. Another man went to speak to Reay, who attempted to throw a punch but was put on the floor.
Reay was told by Tracey Bowman — wife of licensee Barnaby — it was time to leave; but when a bar manager came over to take hold of the customer he knocked over items of furniture. Reay left the bar but then returned, at which point he made repeated insulting and racist comments towards Mrs Bowman.
“She believed that was said to target her personally as her husband, Mr Bowman, is a member of the travelling community,” prosecutor Gerard Rogerson told Carlisle Crown Court today. “The Crown would say it is sustained use of racially abusive language towards Mrs Bowman.”
That had caused her to feel degraded, alarmed, disgusted and saddened, the court heard.
When arrested and interviewed, Reay, of High Meadow, said he didn’t know Mrs Bowman, that he was not guilty and said the allegations were rubbish, using foul language.
Reay initially denied a charge of racially aggravated public order when brought to court but later changed his plea to guilty on the day he was due to stand trial.
The offence was committed in breach of a suspended prison sentence he received in January 2021, for two separate drug-driving crimes.
Russell Davies, defending, admitted that other previous offences committed by Reay were borne out of drunken, loutish behaviour.
Reay, a father, qualified engineer and owner of a welding fabrication business, was worried by the prospect of immediate custody, said Mr Davies. However, there had recently been a “sea change” in his life following his attendance at an addiction support group as he sought to turn his life around.
After hearing all submissions, Recorder Kate Bex QC imposed a 12-month community order, 100 hours’ unpaid work and a £500 fine. A further £500 fine was added for breach of the previous suspended sentence, and Reay must pay £500 compensation and £340 court costs.
