A man who assaulted an elderly shopkeeper and hurled racist abuse has been charged under Scotland’s new hate crime act.
The incident happened on 11 May, in Carntyne, Glasgow, when the shopkeeper, his grandson and another man were unloading items into the convenience store, according to reports.
Michael Burns, 40, made threats towards the elderly man. He then put his head against the victim's forehead and referred to the man's grandson and another man using a racial slur.
Burns pled guilty at Glasgow Sheriff Court to an assault charge under the hate crime and public order act, introduced to address offenses motivated by “a dislike or prejudice of age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variations in sex characteristics”.
Burns' conviction is one of the earliest under this new legislation in Scotland’s criminal courts.
Burns, from Baillieston in Glasgow, also admitted to behaving in a racially aggravated manner towards the three men.
The court heard that Burns challenged the grandson to a fight, shouting, "What are you going to do about it?"
Shouting was heard by the other men who then attended the shop. Another man attempted to intervene to protect his grandfather and asked Burns to leave.
He initially left the shop but returned later, repeating the racist remarks. Police were called, and officers later arrested Burns.
During sentencing, Burns’ defense attorney, Roberto Manini, stated that his client had relapsed into alcohol abuse.
“He is aware that people should be able to go about their daily business without being subjected to this type of behavior,” STV cited the lawyer as saying.
Sheriff Patricia Pryce ordered Burns to pay £500 in compensation to the shopkeeper and £250 each to the other two men.
“You know how serious this was, you also have a shocking criminal record,” the sheriff commented.
“You can maintain full time employment and a normal life so it is a balancing act. On this occasion, I will impose a direct alternative to custody.”
