Warrant issued for man who racially abused Humza Yousaf

A man convicted of racially abusing justice secretary Humza Yousaf has been issued with a warrant for his arrest.

Stuart Smith, 63, claimed the SNP MSP supported “Muslim killers” and raised money for their families.

The message was sent on November 14, 2015 – the day after the Paris terror attack and was in response to a screenshot of Mr Yousaf’s “#PrayForParis” tweet.

Smith said Mr Yousaf had a “good Scots name”, adding: “I am sure he is 90% backing Muslim killers. Be having a whip round for terrorist families soon.”

Smith was found guilty in November following a trial at Glasgow Sheriff Court of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner aggravated by religious prejudice.

But, he failed to attend several sentencing hearings claiming to be suffering from ill health.

Sheriff Sean Murphy QC told his lawyer Iain McCelland on the last occasion that he should attend Monday’s hearing or a warrant would be issued.

Mr McCelland told the court that he had emailed Smith, of Gretna in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as sent him written correspondence.

Sheriff Murphy said: “He was warned to be here last time, warrant to apprehend.”