Four teenagers are to stand trial accused of a racist assault on a Methil takeaway owner just days after terror attacks in Paris.
Kyle Campbell, 19, Brandon Munro, 18, Robbie Smart, 18, and another teenager who cannot be named for legal reasons, have all made pleas of not guilty following the an incident outside a fast food restaurant in Methil, on November 15 last year.
Three others, Sean Wood, 20, Connor Crombie, 18, and another male who cannot be named, had their cases continued without plea when the matter called at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court yesterday.
All seven are accused of acting in a racially aggravated manner during an incident that took place just 24 hours after a series of coordinated terror attacks took place in Paris in November.
Three of those named – Munro, Smart and Campbell – are also accused of assaulting a second man by repeatedly punching and kicking him on the head and body.
Mohammed Khalid was the alleged victim of the attack, which took place at the Caspian takeaway in Methil’s Wellsley Road.
The 53-year-old runs the business with his wife Maqsooda.
Kirkcaldy residents Campbell, of Sidlaw Street, Munro, of Farne Court, Smart, of Denfield Place, and another teenager are due to face trial in October.
Wood, of Hugo Avenue in Coaltown of Wemyss, Crombie, of Fosterton Crescent in Kirkcaldy, and a third male had their cases continued until next month.
A total of 130 people plus seven terrorists died in the attacks on November 13 and 14 at the Bataclan theatre, the Stade de France and on streets in central Paris.
Speaking at the time of the alleged attacks, Mr Khalid said: “Like everyone else in the world, we are shocked about what happened in Paris.
“We are heartbroken for the families who have lost someone.
“If a Muslim kills another man, then they have killed all mankind. That is what our religion teaches us. All true Muslims believe this.”
Sheriff John Rafferty ordered the seven to appear at the next hearing dates.
