A MAN who made homophobic remarks has been fined more than £600.

William McGuinley, 33, of Baskingstone Road in Micheldever, Hampshire, was charged with using threatening / abusive words / behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress.

The incident happened in Basildon on November 14 last year.

McGuinley denied the charge and elected to have a trial at Colchester Magistrates' Court.

On October 14 the case was proved in his absence.

He was fined £660 with magistrates saying the high fine reflected the nature of the homophobic remarks.

McGuinley was also ordered to pay a £66 victim surcharge and £610 prosecution costs.

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