Sheriff rebukes racist who refused optician’s services

Eric Greene, 58, from Carluke, Lanarkshire, went to Specsavers in Lanark where he told trainee optician, Sarah Kerr, who is of Indian and Pakistani extraction: “I don’t mean to sound impersonal but I’d rather be seen by a white person.”

Mr Greene then revealed a Star of David necklace, adding: “I’m sorry but Manchester was the last straw for me.”

Staff asked Mr Greene to leave before police were called and he was arrested.

At Lanark Sheriff Court he admitted breach of the peace.

Depute fiscal Ziad Hassan said: “The complainer is of Indian and Pakistani origin but British born, and is employed in the store as a trainee.

“She asked him to join her at her desk and she would book him in as is standard procedure. She noted he appeared hesitant but eventually he came and sat down.

“The accused asked her if she would be his optician for the day but she explained she would only be booking him in.

“He then stated, ‘I’m sorry to be impersonal but I’d rather be seen by a white person’.”

Sheriff Nikola Stewart said: “I think everybody in this courtroom is shocked by that utterly bigoted and prejudicial narration.

“What is at the root of these views? We have to look deeper into why this gentleman would make these type of comments. Charlottesville is what happens if you don’t take this kind of thing seriously. I’m calling for reports because I need to understand what lies at the root of this.

“Prejudice is a cancer which eats away at society and stops it being a place in which we feel safe.”