Ayr ‘Stop the boats’ fisherman jailed for racist abuse at mosque

A ‘STOP the boats’-supporting fisherman with dozens of previous convictions ranted that he was “jailed for a flag” after being locked up for racist abuse.

Kevin Goudie shouted “f*****g joke man” before being led downstairs at Ayr Sheriff Court to start a two-year prison term.

He previously pleaded guilty to scaling the roof of a mosque in Ayr and planting a ‘Stop the boats’ flag following a demonstration in the town on June 9.

The rally came in response to an assault in Belfast which sparked protests across Scotland.

Goudie, 34, whom the court heard was a ‘fisherman by trade’ and has more than 30 criminal convictions, was also caught yelling “P**i b*****d” as he clambered down from the religious building.

The incident took place at the Al Farooq Education and Community Centre and Mosque, after around 100 people had earlier gathered at Wellington Square.

CCTV footage showed Goudie climbing the roof to plant his flag, shouting, before climbing back down, laughing and shouting: “P**i b*****d.”

He was arrested days later.

Defence solicitor Steven Maxwell told a previous hearing: “It is difficult to mitigate this divisive behaviour. There is a record and he has other matters outstanding.

“His level of intoxication is not to excuse but to explain this behaviour. He is a fisherman by trade, he works hard but unfortunately plays far too hard.”

Sheriff David Young told him: “In light of the nature of you climbing on the roof of a mosque and shouting racist and abusive remarks, I wish a [background] report.

“Until then you will be remanded.”

When he returned to court for sentencing last week, Mr Maxwell said: “In an extremely inebriated state he made his way to the High Street with three others in total. They reached a converted working men’s club which is now a local mosque.

“He came back down after the offending banner was attached to the building. It’s actually a handmade flag pinned onto a 6×2 piece of wood.

“Of course, the offending comment he cannot recollect making, but concedes in his state the comment may have been made by him in the way libelled.

“He has been at pains to point out he has many colleagues in that area of work of all ethnicities and has no idea how the flag came into his possession. There had been a meeting or protest, he hadn’t been at that, but this item had come from there.

“He has been remanded exclusively for this matter since.

“Mr Goudie, when sober, is a hard-working man as a fisherman and when released will return to the sea. He will return to the sea as the captain of the boat is prepared to work with him.

“He has another matter, non-analogous and an assault.”

Sheriff Colin Pettigrew said: “I acknowledge you pleaded guilty at an early stage.

“The behaviour was reprehensible by climbing on the roof of what’s now a mosque, with a message I’m not going to utter, and you then made racist remarks, again I will not repeat that.

“It was either your intention to stir up racial hatred or, given your state of sobriety or lack of, actions likely to result in hatred being stirred up – racial hatred against a certain group.

“You committed the offence while subject to two bail orders imposed at Ayr Sheriff Court and the record you have is appalling.

“You have 34 previous convictions at summary and solemn level, with a disregard for court instructions, breaches of bail conditions, of non-harassment orders and community payback orders.

“The offence is a serious one that could have caused significant emotional harm and could have encouraged others to act in this inappropriate manner.

“It is of particular concern to this court and the public that you chose to plant this at a mosque. A mosque, church or synagogue should be somewhere people feel safe and not fear being abused.

“I am satisfied the custodial threshold is clearly met and there is no other way to deal with you than custody.”

He was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment, backdated to June 15.

Shaking his head in the dock after gasps from the public gallery, Goudie said “f*****g joke man”, “for a f*****g flag!” and “honestly man”.

As family friends in the courtroom urged him to calm down, he said: “No wonder, for a f*****g stupid flag”.

After he was led downstairs, Sheriff Pettigrew told Goudie’s defence: “I didn’t hear anything, Mr Maxwell.”

Mr Maxwell replied: “I’ll have to hear it later.” Sheriff Pettigrew added, “Well, I’ll leave you to it”.

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