Woman prosecuted for using racial abuse during parking row

A 42-year-old woman who hurled racial abuse at her neighbour, including telling them to “f*** off back to your own country in a dinghy”, has been fined by Bath magistrates.

The court heard last Wednesday, 9th July, that there had been a dispute over parking in Paulton on the evening of 7th February 2024.

Carly Yates, of Green Close, had attended a voluntary interview with the police at which she showed remorse for what she said during that argument.

The police decided not to take any further action, but the neighbour engaged with the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme. This gives victims the right to challenge a police decision not to charge a suspect.

Subsequently, Yates was charged with using racially aggravated threatening, abusive or disorderly words or behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

She pleaded guilty at last week’s hearing.

Defending Yates, duty solicitor Bradley Axam told the court that she had got involved in a row that her son was having with a neighbour.

Mr Axam said that during the “petty argument over parking” there had been “back and forth” insults and Yates had been called a “silly slag” and told to “f*** off you bitch”.

He said Yates accepted that her own words were “reprehensible”, but she had uttered them when she was in an “incredibly stressed state”. At the time, her mother was in intensive care.

Mr Axam asked magistrates to consider a discharge, saying Yates was of an “exemplary” character. She is a carer with the elderly and has no previous convictions.

But magistrates decided to fine Yates £415, also ordering her to pay a surcharge of £166 and prosecution costs of £85.

A request by the victim for a restraining order was refused as magistrates said they did not think it was necessary

The court was told that Yates is intending to move house.