Irvine woman admits racism and violence while on Valium

Rachel Hood, 38, admitted behaving in a racially-aggravated manner and assault in Irvine’s Thornhouse Stores on May 11 last year.

The Clark Drive resident lashed out in the Thornhouse Avenue shop by shouting, swearing uttering threats of violence – after Hood denied an accusation of shoplifting.

She also challenged people to fight and uttered racist remarks towards a woman in the shop before seizing her by the hair and pulling it.

When she returned to Kilmarnock Sheriff Court for sentencing last week [Tuesday, February 9], defence solicitor Peter Murray said his client was unemployed, on benefits and was taking Valium at the time after a family bereavement.

He said Hood had no recollection of committing the offences but “realises misuse of Valium may have affected her memory”.

He urged Sheriff McFarlane to consider a community-based sentence “perhaps with her liberty restricted”.

Sheriff Elizabeth McFarlane said: “Presumably you would say it would not happen if you were not on Valium? No one is forcing you to take it – you chose the consequences.

Hood received a Community Payback Order with a year of drug treatment “to get the support to say no” and will have to wear a tag and stay at home from 7pm-7am.