Couple subjected to racial abuse from Weymouth man following dispute over plumbing

Antonie Edery, aged 41, of Carlton Road South, Weymouth, pleaded guilty to a charge of racially aggravated harassment.

Andrew Newman, prosecuting, told Weymouth Magistrates' Court the harassment came about because of some plumbing work that was being done for Edery last year by James Williamson.

Antonie Edery was sentenced at Weymouth Magistrates' Court for racially aggravated harassment. Picture: Dorset Echo

Following a dispute about work that needed to be done, Mr Williamson received three abusive texts on October 28 last year.

Mr Newman read out all three messages to the court which contained vile language, swearing, offensive racial slurs and vulgar comments about both Mr Williamson and his wife.

A statement from Mr Williamson was read out to the court. He said that he and his wife were left very 'distressed' by the messages.

He said: "He threatened to come to my home address. I do not know him and I do not know what he is capable of, so I do take it seriously."

He said the messages were 'maliciously' sent and was offended by insults which were repeatedly made about his nationality.

He added: "I do still fear that Mr Edery will come round with his baseball bat."

The court heard that on December 19 last year, Mr Williamson received two phone calls from Edery which were read out again to court.

Both calls consisted of Edery using similar vile language as well as offensive racial and homophobic slurs and vulgar comments again about both Mr Williamson and his wife.

Mitigating, Aileen Tring, said Edery's behaviour was 'completely out of character'.

She said: "He is a hard working and responsible member of the public."

Ms Tring said at the time Edery was not working and that his business had to close because of the pandemic and he was at 'breaking point'.

She added: "This was not random, it was born out of particular circumstances."

She said Edery was no longer drinking and said "he probably never would have said the things he said had he been sober."

Magistrates heard Edery was 'very regretful' of any distress or harm caused to both Mr and Mrs Williamson.

Chairman of the bench, Louise Dutton, called the offence by Edery 'nasty' and issued him with a 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 150 hours of unpaid work. He must pay £250 compensation towards the victims, £85 towards costs and a £95 victim surcharge.

Edery was also given a 12-month restraining order banning him from contacting Mr or Mrs Williamson directly or indirectly and has been told he must not post anything on the website of a particular plumbing firm.