Man Found Guilty of Racially Abusing Taxi Driver and Exposing Himself at Dunfermline Rank

A man has been found guilty after racially abusing a taxi driver and exposing himself at a busy taxi rank in Dunfermline.

Robert Hooper, 51, appeared at Dunfermline Sheriff Court over an incident involving a 49-year-old taxi driver on Queen Anne Street.

The offence happened on 14 July while the driver was sitting in his vehicle at the taxi rank near Dunfermline Bus Station.

The court heard that Hooper directed racist abuse towards the driver before intentionally exposing himself in the street.

Another taxi driver who was at the rank also gave evidence about the incident and told the court that he heard Hooper directing abuse towards his colleague.

Hooper told the court that he had been heavily intoxicated after drinking during the day and accepted that he had behaved provocatively towards the driver.

However, he denied intentionally exposing himself and denied being racist.

Sheriff William Gilchrist rejected Hooper’s account and found him guilty of intentional exposure and racially aggravated abuse.

Hooper has not yet been sentenced. Sentencing was deferred until 2 September for background reports and he was remanded in custody in the meantime.

The case is another reminder of the abuse taxi and private hire drivers can face while working, particularly at busy ranks and during evening shifts.

Importantly, this is no longer an allegation or pending trial: Hooper has been found guilty by the court. The outstanding stage of the case is sentencing.

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