Race hate thugs admit harassing takeaway staff

Oct 2 2008

TWO Uddingston yobs racially abused workers at a village takeaway before one tried to hit a member of staff with a metal bar.

Sean Clements (18) and Stephen McMillan called five workers at the Laburnum Road shop ‘black b*******.’

Clements also told one of them that he ‘owned’ Viewpark and would close the shop down.

Last week Clements, of McCracken Drive, admitted pursuing a course of racially-aggravated harassment on August 24 and 25 last year at the Tandoori Sizzler.

McMillan, of Windsor Walk, pleaded guilty to acting in a racially-aggravated manner intended to cause alarm and distress to the shop workers by shouting racist remarks, and attempting to strike Naeem Shahid with a metal bar.

Fiscal depute Stewart Houston told Hamilton Sheriff Court Clements and McMillan entered the takeaway about 10.30pm on August 24, 2007.

Clements asked to shake the hand of Naeem Shahid, saying: ‘you’re all right.’

Mr Shahid, however, said he could not shake Clements’ hand because he was preparing food.

Words were then exchanged and Mr Shahid pushed McMillan back a little and Clements told him: ‘Leave him alone. I own Viewpark, I will close you down.’

Both the accused shouted racist remarks, calling the occupants of the shop ‘black b*******.’

When a customer approached the takeaway, both accused took off towards a grassy area directly opposite.

After the customer left, the yobs returned to the shop. McMillan was carrying a metal bar, which he swung in the direction of Mr Shahid.

Mr Houston said Mr Shahid picked up a wooden baton from behind the counter to parry the blows from the metal bar.

Clements and McMillan left the shop and the police were contacted by the shop workers.

CCTV footage capturing the events,was viewed by police and the accused were identified. But attempts to trace them were unsuccessful.

A second incident at the tandoori took place the following day.

The workers had returned to clean up the shop and saw Clements and other youths standing opposite.

Clements threw stones at the shop while the occupants were inside and shouted: ‘black b*******’ and ‘you’ve been here for too long.’

Police were once again contacted and arrived about 2.55pm, but Clements escaped after running from the scene.

McMillan was interviewed by officers on August 31, 2007, at Motherwell Police Office and made no admission.

Later that day officers saw Clements on Laburnum Road, Viewpark, and asked him to attend Bellshill Police Office voluntarily, which he agreed to do.

He admitted his involvement in the matters and was charged.

Sheriff Marie Smart deferred sentence on the two yobs until October 20 for reports and continued bail.