Racist to optician: I’d rather see white person
Bigot used Manchester bombing as an excuse
A RACIST who told a trainee optician, “I’d rather be seen by a white person”, was fined £350 yesterday.
Eric Greene was branded a bigot by a sheriff, who told him: “Charlottesville is what happens if you don’t take this kind of thing seriously.”
The incident took place when Greene, of Carluke, Lanarkshire, went to Specsavers in Lanark two days after the Manchester Arena bombing in May, which killed 22 people.
Employee Sarah Kerr noticed the 58-year-old looked hesitant when she asked him to join her at her desk so she could book him in for his appointment.
But she was stunned when Greene asked her if she would be his optician and added: “I’d rather be seen by a white person.”
A court heard Greene then pulled down his T-shirt to show he was wearing a Star of David necklace.
He told her: “I’m sorry but Manchester was the last straw for me – I have family down south.”
Horrified staff who overheard him asked Greene to leave.
Police were called and he was arrested.
Greene admitted a racist breach of the peace during an earlier appearance at Lanark Sheriff Court.
Prosecutor Ziad Hassan said: “The complainer is of Indian and Pakistani origin but British born.”
Kathleen McNulty, defending, said: “He didn’t attend to cause harassment to anyone.
“He realises he has got this wrong but it was too late and he is devastated by this.
“He spent time in the cells as a result and this will now follow him.
“He accepts his guilt and tells me he apologised in the shop.”
Sheriff Nikola Stewart referred to events in Charlottesville, Virginia, last month where a woman died and 19 people were injured when a car rammed into a crowd of people protesting against a rally by white nationalists.
She told Greene: “Prejudice is a cancer which eats away at society and stops it being a place in which we feel safe.”