A GALASHIELS man who directed racist abuse towards a fellow passenger on board a bus has been ordered to pay a total of £335 at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

Stewart McPhee, 57, of King Street, pleaded guilty to threatening or abusive behaviour aggravated by racial prejudice on a bus between Edinburgh and Galashiels on July 24 last year.

Defence lawyer Ross Dow said his client was intoxicated at the time and could not remember making the comments.

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He added he had been sober for the past five months and was carrying out voluntary work in a café.

Sheriff Peter Paterson fined him £125 with a £10 victim surcharge.

In addition, he was ordered to pay £200 in compensation to the woman he was abusive towards.