Reading Magistrates’ Court: Thatcham shoplifter’s racist harassment

A SHOPLIFTER has been convicted of racial harassment.

In the dock at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, May 16, was Ryan Murphy.

The 21-year-old, of Mount Road, Thatcham, admitted stealing a bottle of Lucozade belonging to Costcutter.

He also admitted using racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour intending to cause Galjeet Bajaj harassment, alarm or distress.

Finally, Mr Murphy was convicted of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour with intent to cause a police officer harassment, alarm or distress.

All the above offences were committed in Thatcham on October 22 last year.

Mr Murphy, who also has previous convictions and was legally represented by Joanne Benn, was made subject to a 20 month conditional discharge.

No order for costs was made but he was ordered to pay a statutory victim services surcharge.