Racist told staff member: ‘virus is all your fault’
YOB Adam Brown racially abused a supermarket worker – after being told to shop alone during the coronavirus lockdown.
The 25-year-old was in Sainsbury’s with another man when the victim reminded him of the store’s policy which means customers should shop on their own during the Covid-19 pandemic.
But Brown subjected the victim – who is of Chinese heritage – to a barrage of racial abuse and told him, ‘It’s your fault the virus is here anyway’.
Magistrates at North Staffordshire Justice Centre heard the incident happened at the Leek store on March 31 just days after the country went into lockdown.
Prosecutor Sue Hayers said: “An employee saw two men together in the produce aisle. He approached them and politely reminded them of the store policy. This defendant became aggressive.
“The defendant said, ‘Get out of my face, you are supposed to be two metres away’. The worker took a step back and allowed the defendant to leave. He told him that his manner and demeanour meant he would not be served.”
The court heard the same staff member then saw the defendant and the other man again, and he was subjected to racial abuse from Brown.
Ms Hayers added: “The defendant said, ‘It’s your fault the virus is here anyway, you brought it into the country’. The injured party felt that was a reference to coronavirus originating in China.”
Brown, of Belle Vue Road, Leek, made further derogatory comments of a racial nature to the victim before leaving the store.
He was later spoken to by the police and went on to plead guilty to causing intentional harassment, alarm or distress by using threatening, abusive or insulting behaviour, which was racially aggravated.
Alan Dawson, mitigating, said Brown was on medication for anxiety and depression and had been unable to collect his prescription shortly before the incident.
Mr Dawson said: “He was anxious and distressed. He decided to go out with a friend to do some shopping.
“The security staff had let them in so he was taken aback when he was approached by the injured party. He was told he would not be served, ‘end of’.
“He simply said these things because he wanted to voice his anger. He says he is not a racist and doesn’t know why he made the comments.”
Magistrates fined Brown £200 and ordered him to pay £50 compensation to the victim.
He must also pay £227 in court costs and charges.