Elgin man who 'identifies as a car' made racist remarks after being refused food at drive-thru

Press and Journal

23-05-2025

A Buckie man who told fast food workers he should be allowed to order from the drive-thru because he 'identifies as a car' went on to make a series of racist remarks.
Ryan Morrison appeared at Elgin Sheriff Court on Thursday for sentencing after having earlier admitted to acting in an aggressive manner at the McDonald's restaurant on Linkwood Place on March 26 this year.
Deferring sentence on the case for one month, Sheriff David Harvie branded the 39-year-old's behaviour 'appalling'.
The court heard that Morrison's tirade at the McDonald's came just hours after he was released on bail at Elgin Sheriff Court.
He had appeared on remand after resisting arrest in Elgin's High Street, following aggressive behaviour in another local takeaway.
Officers also found a small bag of cannabis – valued at about £25 – in his possession.
However, within hours of his freedom, Morrison would find himself in trouble again.
At McDonald's, he approached workers at its drive-thru window and attempted to be served.
When he was told he could not be served, due to his lack of car, Morrison tried a different tactic.
Fiscal depute Shay Treanor told the court: 'The accused advised [the employee] he identifies as a car and could indeed order at the drive-thru.'
That too failed to convince the employee so Morrison moved inside but became 'agitated' when he was denied the use of a phone charger.
He then called one employee a 'w*****' and made a stabbing motion towards them.
His ire would then turn on customers, with Morrison challenging one to a fight outside and seeing him make Islamophobic comments.
'And went on to talk about Muslims being gunned down, making a firing motion – as if firing a gun – while doing so,' Mr Treanor added.
'And then made a motion drawing his finger across his throat. There were staff members and patrons in the restaurant while this was happening.'
He was arrested at the scene.
Matthew O'Neill, Morrison's defence solicitor, said his client was 'deeply embarrassed' by his actions across the charges.
'He realises in the cold light of day he was the architect of his own downfall,' he said.
Hearing Morrison was already subject to 170 hours of unpaid work from an order made in January, Sheriff Harvie offered him the opportunity to make some progress.
Sentencing him to another 90 hours of work for his behaviour on Elgin's High Street, which he also admitted to, Sheriff Harvie called for a review of the order in one month and warned Morrison that there would just be two options on the table when he returned to court.
'I've already characterised this as totally reprehensible behaviour made worse by the fact it was a matter of hours since you've been released from this court,' he said.
'I really need you to have an excellent report in a month's time and to have made good progress with the hours that are outstanding.
'We're looking at pretty substantial number of hours or a custodial sentence in respect of the McDonald's matter, and in the end the choice is going to be yours.'