Scottish Michelin Guide chef fined for racial abuse of taxi driver
Acclaimed Aberdeen chef Kevin Dalgleish, owner of Michelin Guide restaurant Amuse, has apologised after being fined £200 in court for racially abusing a taxi driver during an incident last December.
The incident
In a report by Press and Journal, Kevin repeatedly used a racist slur against a 26-year-old driver and at one point threatened, “I’m going to f***ing kill you.” The altercation followed a dispute after the driver accused Kevin of vomiting in his car during the journey.
The driver, who does not wish to be named, claims the episode cost him around £1,000 in lost earnings, with his car off the road for several days during the busy pre-Christmas period. He described the confrontation as “extremely threatening,” explaining that he began filming only after being subjected to racist abuse.
Court proceedings
In Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Kevin pled guilty to an amended charge of racially aggravated abuse, with an allegation of assault withdrawn. Fiscal depute Jane Spark confirmed that video evidence showed the chef making racist comments and lunging towards the driver.
The Crown also removed reference to the death threat in court, though the remarks were captured on video. The driver said he was “really disappointed” that the full 20-minute video of the incident was not played during proceedings.
Reaction from the driver
Speaking afterwards, the driver expressed frustration at both the court’s decision and the impact on his livelihood.
“I must have lost at least £1,000 in earnings,” he said. “He called me a racist name multiple times and kept coming right up to my face. It really upset me for some time afterwards - I lost confidence in going out and working.”
The driver also stressed his Scottish roots: “I was born in Scotland. My father is a taxi driver, and so was my grandad. I’ve been doing this job for four years and I do get some racism - but never to this extent.”
Kevin's apology
Through his lawyer, Kevin told the court he was “not himself” after a busy night in the restaurant. He later issued a public apology, saying he was “ashamed” of his behaviour.
“I have spent my life trying to be a good role model for my employees and the community, and I failed that night,” he said. “The language I used was completely unacceptable and goes against everything I believe in. I take full responsibility for my words and actions and I am committed to learning from this experience.”
Kevin added: “I am deeply sorry for the hurt I have caused and for letting down those who know me to be better than this moment represents.”
{{user.name}}