Cowdenbeath: Serial offender made racially offensive remarks

Christopher Godden, 36, of Main Street, Lumphinnans, was jailed for six months when he appeared for sentencing at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on 21st August at the Usave store, Broad Street, Cowdenbeath, he made alarming remarks and threats of violence towards a shopworker.

Then on the same day at AJ’s takeaway, Perth Road, Cowdenbeath, he pulled at a glass fridge, damaging it.

The Usave store on Broad Street in Cowdenbeath. (Image: Google Maps)

He also made derogatory and racially offensive remarks towards a staff member there.

Depute fiscal Laura McManus said Godden had gone into the Usave store and became involved in an argument with another customer, calling him a “paedo”.

He was told to leave by a staff member who tried to escort him off the premises but Godden shouted, “Don’t you touch me. Come on then, square go.”

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He left the shop then returned a few minutes later and was again shouting at the worker.

Later, Godden went into the take-away shop where he ordered chips but said he did not have any money to pay for them.

He became abusive to staff calling them “paedophiles” and “rapists”.

He grabbed a glass display, damaging it and then used racist language.

Defence solicitor Stephen Morrison said: “He understands these are particularly unsavoury episodes and his previous convictions do him no favours.”

He said his client has mental health issues which are exacerbated by alcohol.

“His recollection is not particularly good because of the massive consumption of alcohol,” he added.

Sheriff Wylie Robertson noted that Godden had been put on eight community payback orders in recent years as well as a restriction of liberty order but he had continued to offend.

He commented, “No retail worker should be abused or threatened with violence during the course of their employment.”