Man hurled racist abuse at Dundee takeaway staff

A man told takeaway workers to “go back to their own country” as he waited for food at a Dundee curry shop.

Joel Justice, 25, also spouted racist abuse to staff in Curry Junction on the city’s Perth road.

Justice, of Bellfield Road, branded workers “p****” and told them: “You keep your women like slaves”.

Fiscal depute Trina Sinclair told Dundee Sheriff Court that the incident occurred around 11.10pm on April 29.

She said: “The accused began calling the workers there ‘p****’ then told them ‘you keep your women like slaves’.

“He then asked ‘are you from Afghanistan’ then told the two employees ‘go back to your own country’.

“Police were called and arrived at 11.50pm.

“They found the accused standing at the counter eating his food.

“He was taken to police HQ and continued to state phrases like ‘I just told them p**** to go back to their own country’.

“He was cautioned and charged and made no reply.”

Justice pleaded guilty on summary complaint to a charge that on April 29 he acted in a racially aggravated manner intended to cause alarm and distress to Rifa Nezir and Rehan Khan by shouting racist remarks to them and regarding them.

Defence solicitor John Boyle said: “It is clear from the background reports there are some misguided views that he holds.

“He has an alcohol addiction and though he doesn’t drink every day he does regularly, and when he drinks it is always to excess.”

Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence on Justice until next month for an alcohol treatment assessment.

He said: “It needs to be understood very clearly that this sort of racist abuse has never been something that this court will tolerate.

“I’m aware that there is increased sensitivity now and there is some evidence that there has been an upsurge in racist abuse.

“That has been roundly rejected by the Scottish Government and is rejected by this court.

“Anyone who indulges in it will be dealt with seriously.”

Justice was released on bail ahead of sentencing.