A British woman convicted of racism after calling her New Zealand-born neighbour an Australian has had her name cleared.
Last November, Petra Mills was arrested after calling her neighbour a “stupid fat Australian” during a drunken tirade on her front lawn.
The neighbour, Chelsea O’Reilly, says Ms Mills knew she was born in New Zealand but used the term “Australian” to offend her.
Mills told the court she shouted at Ms O’Reilly but it had nothing to do with racism.
“I did not use the word Australian. I used to live with an Australian person. She was very nice.”
Ms Mills was charged with racially aggravated public disorder and fined $162.
However, the local court in the city of Chester has overturned the decision, ruling that using the word “Australian” is not a racist slur.
Ms Mills has since moved to north Wales to escape the embarrassment caused by her conviction.
