A mother of two has been fined after launching a racist tirade inside a Lidl store over a pack of nappies. Keanna Johnson, 36, told a man to 'go back to your own country' after he picked up the last pack of the specific nappy size she needed for her child.
Guilty plea at Teesside Magistrates' Court
A tearful Johnson, from Thorntree, appeared before Teesside Magistrates' Court on Thursday, where she pleaded guilty to 'racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm, distress by words, writing of behaviour' in Middlesbrough by using 'threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress'.
Alongside that admission, she also pleaded guilty to breaching a six-month conditional discharge, handed down following an assault on a detention officer at Cleveland Police headquarters in March.
Offensive remarks detailed in court
Prosecutor Jess Pike outlined that the 36-year-old directed a series of offensive remarks towards a fellow shopper on 29 July. The court was told these included "go back to your own country", "you all just take what you want" and further offensive comments. Ms Pike added that upon her arrest, Johnson told officers: "I said just go back to your own country."
Defence solicitor Ross Tismond informed the court that Johnson "wishes to apologise for her actions". The defence solicitor explained that the defendant had visited the nappy aisle in Lidl to find a specific size, only to discover a man had, by Johnson's estimation, "eight to ten packs in his trolley", reports Teesside Live. She requested a single pack, to which he reportedly replied that he could "do what he wanted". Mr Tismond stated that she made the "disgusting remark" in response.
Fine and court surcharge
The court heard that Johnson, of Millbrook Avenue, Middlesbrough, suffers from depression and anxiety, and is currently awaiting therapy for ADHD. She has additionally been barred from the store, which sits just a five-minute walk from her home, meaning she must now make a 20-minute journey to her nearest Aldi supermarket.
Deputy district judge Kielty told Johnson her behaviour was "disgusting", stating that her remarks were not only offensive to the Muslim community but also to "Czech and Slovakia communities". As Johnson received a £300 fine, to be deducted from her benefits, she broke down in tears in the dock. She is further required to pay a court surcharge of £120. Judge Kielty ordered no further action regarding the breach of the conditional discharge.
