Restaurant may get CCTV after ‘baldy’ taunt

A frustrated restaurant owner says he may install CCTV outside his business after nuisance youths called a shocked customer ‘baldy’.

Ian Sleeper, 51, was threatened by a teenager after asking a group of youngsters to move away from the Singleton Tandoori last month.

He says his customers should not have to put up with being insulted and may fit surveillance cameras to act as a deterrent.

The father-of-two said: “Youths were being a bit of a problem outside and when we asked them to leave they were very aggressive.

“They were taking the mickey out of my customers.

“One was called ‘baldy’ which is not a big crime, but it is not very nice to be called names when you are coming in for a meal.

“I could look at CCTV if funds allow – I would quite happily put cameras out there.”

Mr Sleeper, who lives in Kingsnorth, contacted police after the teenager swung a punch at him and says he has not had to deal with any nuisance youths since.

He said: “We have other things to worry about and it is just one of those things that you would rather not have to deal with.

“They were being a nuisance and hanging around in the precinct.

“I think word has got around that we have got the police involved as we have not seen any anti-social behaviour recently.”

Great Chart with Singleton parish council clerk Aniko Szocs says she is aware of the issues.

She said: “We are in contact with the police all the time about it. We now have a dedicated police community support officer (PCSO) for Singleton.

“It has been an issue for a long time and the PCSO is patrolling the area.”

Last month, Mr Sleeper handed out dozens of Christmas cards at Ashford mosque in a bid to bridge the gap between Christianity and Islam.

He initially stood outside but was invited inside the site in Torrington Road after being welcomed by the majority of worshippers.

What do you think? Write to Kentish Express, Unit 4, Park Mall shopping centre, Ashford, TN24 8RY or email kentishexpress@thekmgroup. co.uk

Picture: Gary Browne FM5039410 Youths had been causing a nuisance at the Singleton shopping precinct