Man coughed on officers after racist attack in shop

Accused told police he had been self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms

A man who destroyed a sweet display by stumbling into it rained blows on the shopkeeper and a customer when they asked him to tidy it up.

Neal Mulligan then coughed on the police officers who turned up to arrest him after telling them he had the symptoms of Covid-19.

Police had to treat him with special measures over genuine concerns that he was putting other members of staff in danger of catching the virus.

Mulligan, 42, launched the vicious attack on Hassan Mirza by hurling sweets at him and punching him repeatedly to the head and body.

Mulligan taunted the shopkeeper with racist jibes and threatened to stab him as well as attacking customer Thomas Walton when he was asked to pick up the mess.

Depute fiscal Eilidh Robertson told Dundee Sheriff Court yesterday: “Mr Mirza is the owner of the store and was working alone when Mr Mulligan entered.

“The accused was unsteady on his feet and knocked over a display of sweets.

“A customer asked him to pick up the sweets. The accused punched him on the head.

“Mr Mirza ran around to assist. The accused repeatedly punched him on the head and body. The accused began to throw sweets and other items at him.”

When police arrived, Mulligan “forcibly and deliberately coughed in the face” of both officers before telling them he had been self-isolating with Covid-19 symptoms.

The court was told Mulligan was dropped off by officers and told to stay away from the shop, but he returned within 30 minutes and made racist remarks and stab threats.

Mulligan, of Ballindean Terrace, Dundee, admitted attacking Mr Mirza in Fairdeal Stores, Dundee, on April 5 by throwing sweets at him and punching his head and body.

He admitted assaulting Thomas Walton in the shop by punching him on the head, and attacking two police

“You are almost certainly facing a lengthy sentence because of your behaviour here. SHERIFF TOM HUGHES

officers by coughing and claiming to have Covid-19.

Mulligan also admitted returning to the shop within 30 minutes of being given a bail condition to stay away, and making racist remarks towards, and threatening, Mr Mirza.

Solicitor Gary McIlravey, defending, said: “He had real difficulty dealing with lockdown and isolation, and had taken alcohol. He has no recollection of the incident.

“He is utterly appalled at his behaviour and knows he is in a difficult position.”

Sheriff Tom Hughes deferred sentence and told Mulligan: “This is not only one incident – it has carried on for quite a while.

“Your conduct was totally and utterly unacceptable, and you were reprehensible in the way you treated the police officers.

“You are almost certainly facing a lengthy sentence because of your behaviour here.”

Mulligan was remanded in custody until he is sentenced next month.