Man who slapped an English Defense League member fined
58-year-old Felix Ferguson of Busby, Scotland has been fined for slapping a member of the English Defense League at the Glasgow Central Station on 17 July, 2021.
Ferguson’s anger was directed at Abdul Rafiq, the only Muslim member of EDL, which is a far-right organization known for being racist towards the Irish. It is, however, not known if Rafiq is still a member of the organization.
Around 10.20pm on the fateful day, it was reported that Ferguson was ‘acting erratically’ at the train station and kept punching both his fists together. He was heard saying “where is that b*****d” by the staff.
About ten minutes later, Rafiq saw Ferguson walking towards him, he then said, “you’re an orange b*****d” and proceeded to slap Rafiq once on his face.
After the incident, Rafiq called the police to report the assault who came to the station to find Ferguson still temperamental. They arrested him and took him to the London Road police station where he was warned and charged for his behaviour. Ferguson maintained that “he deserved it”.
Ferguson’s lawyer claimed that his client was aware of the victim’s membership at the organisation which was previously led by Tommy Robinson.
He said, “It’s one that is racist and sectarian towards the Irish and my client is of that background. This was a chance meeting.”
He confronted the complainer about this, stating he should ‘take that rubbish off YouTube’.”
“The complainer called him a ‘fenian b*****d’ and made other offensive remarks and he reacted as liable. He accepts his behaviour was unacceptable.”
“He had consumed six or seven pints of lager and that’s not an excuse.”
“He accepts he has an analogous previous conviction since 2017 but he doesn’t have any other convictions. Alcohol is not an issue he advises, but the report states there is a connection between alcohol and his previous offence and this matter.”
“He has been out of work for 20 years as he has health issues. He was previously in the Army.”
“He would be willing to pay a fine or compensation, however, there was an element of aggravation coming from the complainer,” he added.
At the Glasgow Sherrif Court, Sheriff Simone Sweeney said to Ferguson, “This is the second time you appear before the court in relation to this nature of offending, however, I’m satisfied there is an alternative to a custodial sentence.”
Ferguson was then asked to pay a £380 fine.