Neighbour who called New Zealand-born woman a 'fat Australian' is not racist, court rules Cleared: Petra Mills has had her conviction for public disorder overturned at appeal A woman convicted of racially abusing her neighbour by calling her a 'fat Australian' has spoken of her anger and relief after winning an appeal against the charge. Petra Mills, 31, was witnessed by police officers calling her neighbour Chelsea O'Reilly - a British/New Zealand national - a 'stupid fat Australian' during a drunken tirade at her former home in Macclesfield. Macclesfield magistrates found her guilty of racially aggravated public disorder and assaulting a police officer in November last year. Ms O'Reilly claimed that Czech-born Ms Mills had used the term 'Australian' offensively as she knew she was from neighbouring New Zealand. But Chester Crown Court overturned the public disorder charge after ruling the use of the word 'Australian' could not be considered racist. Ms Mills, a freelance interpreter has since moved to North Wales following her distress over the conviction. She said the charge should never have been brought before the court. She said: 'I don't feel like this is a victory. The stress and the embarrassment this has caused me is something I don't think I will ever forget. I could not believe I was being accused of racism and it is a hurtful tag to give someone. I am not a racist and I still don't see how what I said could ever be thought of as racist. It should never have come to court. I've had to move from the area because I couldn't face people and now I've just got to try my best to get on with what's left of my life.' Ms Mills, formerly of Macclesfield, was also ordered to pay a £110 fine and £50 compensation following the original verdict after trial. Both fines were quashed. A £200 fine for assaulting a police officer - which Mills admitted last year - was reduced to £85.