Man ‘fined £300’ over homophobic rant to MP’s gay staffer
A man who made homophobic comments to an MP’s office staffer has been handed a suspended sentence and ordered to pay £300 compensation.
The Cambrian News reports that 67-year-old David John Goodier was this week convicted of intentionally causing harassment, alarm or distress during the 14 June incident – just two days after the Orlando massacre.
The court heard that Goodier had attended the Aberystwyth office of the Liberal Democrat MP for Ceredigion, Mark Williams, to discuss the party’s stance on equality after previous correspondence.
The local man had an encounter with Mark Wilson, who was alone in the office at the time.
According to the newspaper, Mr Wilson recalled: “He said that homosexuality was, among other things, an abomination and it needed to be stopped. He compared homosexuality to bestiality and paedophilia.”
When Mr Wilson told Goodier that he is gay, the man began talking about the Orlando massacre.
Mr Wilson said: “said that he agreed with the shooter’s motivations in that he fully agreed with his hatred of homosexuality.
“He said ‘Maybe if I was inclined and knew you were homosexual, maybe I’d have brought a gun today’.
“I couldn’t believe it was happening. I was alone in the office with him and I was quite scared.”
Goodier received a suspended 12-week sentence. He was ordered to pay £300 compensation to Mr Wilson, and pay £770 costs.
