A SINGLE mum arrested because she had a `golly doll' in the window of her home says she is not a racist and the experience has left her 'shocked' and 'stunned'.

Amanda Schofield, as reported in later editions of yesterday's M.E.N, was swabbed for DNA and had her fingerprints taken by police before they quizzed her for an hour on suspicion of racially-aggravated public order.

The 39-year-old mother-of-two claims the doll was put in the window by her daughter Eboni, six, who found it in a bag of toys from the attic.

She was released without charge after being questioned.

Miss Schofield, from Borrowdale Road, Heavily, Stockport, said: "Being arrested and having my DNA and fingerprints taken was degrading. I've been treated like a criminal.

Silly

"It's all just silly. I know that some people don't like the toys, which is why I took it off the window sill, but I don't think a 'golly' is insulting. It's just a teddy."

She added: "My daughter put it on the window sill with a lot of other teddies.

"I was shocked and stunned when I was told I was being arrested. I don't think I should have been put through all that. It's pathetic. I'm not a racist."

Miss Schofield, who also has a 17-year-old son, Jamie, moved into the street of semi-detached homes six years ago.

She said she has been involved in a disagreement with a neighbour, which began several months ago, but has denied it was racially-aggravated.

A complaint was made to police after the 'golly' appeared in the window of Eboni's bedroom. Police called at her home and she was later asked to attend Cheadle Heath Police Station, where she was arrested.

She has since been informed that no further action will be taken by police.

Miss Schofield said she has had the doll for about 15 years. Her daughter found it in a bag of toys while the family were clearing out the attic of their rented semi-detached house.

Gollies are highly collectable. Badges used by jam company James Robertson and Sons, which featured a character called Golly, can sell for more than £1,000.

But the figure has increasingly been seen as a racially offensive symbol and Robertson's dropped it in 2001.

Last year, a shop owner in Wrightington, near Wigan, faced prosecution and a £1,000 fine after a customer complained about the golly dolls and keyrings on sale.

Police confiscated a doll and a keyring, but the complaint was not taken any further and the items were put back on sale.

The neighbour who made the complaint against Miss Schofield declined to comment yesterday.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "Police received a report that an item deemed to be offensive was placed in the window of a house on Borrowdale Road.

"It is believed that the incident was the latest in a number of previous incidents that the victim perceived to be race-related. A woman was arrested on suspicion of a racially-aggravated public order offence. The woman was released without charge."
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