Teen thug racially abused shop worker

Mar 11 2010 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A TEENAGE thug who assaulted and racially abused a shop worker has been placed on probation.

John Park went into the Cafe Shabaz on Fulmar Brae in Livingston on the early evening of December 5 and tried to get behind the counter. He was stopped by one of the takeway shop workers and Park started shouting racial abuse at the man.

The 16-year-old was asked to stop shouting and leave but Park then punched the worker twice on the head before leaving. His victim sustained a bruise but declined medical attention.

Last week at Livingston Sheriff Court Park, whose address was given as Stonebank, Livingston pled guilty to a racially aggravated breach of the peace. He also admitted a charge of being caught in possession of ecstasy while on bail.

The court heard that on the morning of December 16 police had reason to stop Park and search him. In the process of the search officers found 29 tablets in a clear plastic bag in his front pocket. A test revealed the tablets to be ecstasy with a street value of £29.

His solicitor, Gerry Whitten, told the court his client had no previous convictions.

Mr Whitten added: “He is not working but he is on a training course. According to social work he had indicated that he had stopped taking alcohol and ecstasy after being charged on this matter.”

Placing him on probation and ordering him to carry out community service Sheriff Donald Muirhead said: “I think you will understand that punching shopkeepers is bad enough but when you also shout racist remarks it makes it a whole lot worse. It is a serious offence and taking into account that you are very young and young people do stupid things I think you could benefit from some guidance. On the possession of a class A drug while on bail I am again taking into account your age and I am going to fine you £200.”