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Racist customer spits in Lankan shopkeeper's face in UK

20 April 2017 03:45 pm - 10     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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This is the shocking moment a vile racist spat in the face of a Sri Lankan shopkeeper in an off-licence - because she did not have the right brand of cigarettes.

CCTV footage shows thug Christopher James Callaghan abusing shop staff and then spitting over the counter in a woman's face.

 

Callaghan, 30, became angry when staff at Stanley Foods in Bootle, Merseyside, told him they did not have the brand of cigarettes he wanted.

After Nilani Nilalarajah opened the counter to prove to him that the cigarettes were out of stock, Callaghan hurled vile abuse at her and then spat in her face.

A furious Ms Nilalarajah threw an object from the counter back at the yob before calling police.

On Wednesday Callaghan appeared at Sefton Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault in relation to the spitting incident on October 10 last year.

He also admitted a racially aggravated offence in relation to a previous incident in the shop, when he hurled racist abuse at Ms Nilalarajah.

The court heard that Ms Nilalarajah was 'disgusted' by Callaghan's behaviour and did not want him in the shop again.

Callaghan, of Roby Street, was jailed for 16 weeks, suspended for two years.

District Judge Miriam Shelvey ordered him to spend 35 days of supervision with the probation service, and to pay the victim 拢250.

The judge also upheld a restraining order which forbids Callaghan from contacting the victim.

The court heard he had a long criminal record, which included a racially aggravated offence in 2013.

Aksha Shahid, senior district crown prosecutor with the CPS, praised Ms Nilalarajah for being brave enough to come forward and report the offence.

She said after the hearing: 'This was a disgusting assault on a woman who was simply doing her job and providing a vital service to the local community.
'The victim was serving behind the counter at the convenience store in Bootle and Callaghan asked for a brand of cigarettes that the store didn't have.

She told Callaghan this but he wouldn't believe her and became abusive, calling her racist names and then he spat at her.

'We call this offending hate crime and it's often committed against victims that the defendant doesn't even know personally and is motivated by hatred of their race, religion or sexual orientation.

'The court accepted that this was a hate crime and increased the sentence by a year as a result.

'Callaghan was known to be an aggressive nuisance in the shop and he has now been sentenced by the courts for behaviour that will not be tolerated.

'The victim was badly shaken up by the ordeal but supported the prosecution and I'd like to thank her for her courage in coming forward and reporting the incident.

'There is also a restraining order in place to prevent the defendant approaching the victim or the shop for the foreseeable future.

'We hope this case gives others the courage to come forward and report this type of despicable behaviour.'(Daily Mail)


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  Comments - 10

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  • Lal Thursday, 20 April 2017 05:14 PM

    Racism against Tamils and Muslims in South and against Sinhalese in the North is common but not a single arrest

    Sheri Thursday, 20 April 2017 05:40 PM

    This is not the first time, tamils who run these corner shops, have been racially abused.

    SL Thursday, 20 April 2017 06:10 PM

    it's okay ,even though it's an abuse ,its by a British

    Dave Thursday, 20 April 2017 06:23 PM

    this is not a big surprise when we see people with same skin colour fight each other in sri lanka. what about discrimination towards minority in sri lanka ? sri lankan people abuse minority in public calling them with abusive names.

    Shelly. Thursday, 20 April 2017 06:31 PM

    The other side of the coin is that even I had gone mad when my brand of fag not available. Even at Rs. 50- via DM Android App

    Ganesh Thursday, 20 April 2017 07:24 PM

    No such racism against Tamils and Muslims in the South or against Sinhalese in the North other than an individual nature or personal basis .Do not connect the bald head and the knee.

    Wannb Thursday, 20 April 2017 09:07 PM

    What nonsense, Not a Sri Lankan shopkeeper, It should be on British Shopkeeper, when it is a very pathetic, disgusting story they are identified as Sri Lankans. These are British Passport holders, should not be considered as Sri Lankans.

    Kadiya Friday, 21 April 2017 08:22 AM

    Mark my words, that bugger will soon die of lung cancer!!!

    Kadiya Friday, 21 April 2017 08:24 AM

    The shopkeeper should have put up a sign saying 'Cigarette Netha'!!!

    TropicalStorm Wednesday, 26 April 2017 03:08 PM

    You moron, that was a long time ago.


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