Black Isle woman who scratched 'gypsies' onto a caravan in Fortrose fined by sheriff for 'strange' conduct as Highland court hears offence 'was not racially motivated'
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A woman of travelling people origin was so upset by rogue parkers in her Black Isle community she scratched "gypsies" onto the outside of a caravan.
Virginia Quinn carried out the vandalism in the public car park outside Fortrose Academy on June 7, 2021.
The offence occurred at 6.10am when the occupants heard the scratching and saw 41-year-old Quinn with her two dogs.
Inverness Sheriff Court was told there was "a robust exchange" where Quinn falsely claimed to be the janitor at the school.
But despite her deceit, police were able to trace her and charge her with malicious mischief.
She plead guilty to the offence and Sheriff Eilidh Macdonald fined her £290.
Defence solicitor John MacColl told the court: "She was becoming exasperated at people parking their camper vans and caravans at the school and leaving them there for a considerable time.
"Local feelings were running high and she said she was the school caretaker to give her more authority. She is actually a nursing care assistant.
"She had spoken to them and others several times about parking there. There was a robust exchange with the occupants saying that this was Scotland and they could park anywhere.
"As a matter of fact, she is of a travelling background and although as a matter of the law, it was racially motivated, in actual fact it was not.
"She accepts her behaviour fell well below her normal high standard." Mr MacColl went on.
Sheriff Macdonald told Quinn of Station Road, Fortrose: "I understand that you would be concerned about parking, but I don't understand why you would be so concerned as to act in this way.
"It was a strange thing to do."
