Manager bullied Halfords workshop apprentice, set his trousers on fire

A manager at a Halfords tyre workshop racially harassed and bullied a 17-year-old apprentice, including one instance where he set the terrified teenager's trousers on fire.

The apprentice, who was Polish, was subjected to abusive and racist language by the manager while training at the car repair workshop in 2022 and 2023.

But the manager, Tony Jolly, didn't believe he'd done wrong, as he pleaded not guilty to charges of assault and harrassment.

Jurors hearing the case at Aberdeen Sheriff Court disagreed, after considering the evidence, and have found him guilty this month.

The court was told that between October 1 in 2022 and February 17 the following year Jolly, of Wallfield Crescent in Aberdeen, pursued a racially aggravated course of conduct which amounted to harassment.