“Turkish kebab shop owner gave into racist jibes”

“THE Turkish owner of a Malvern kebab shop and his staff were subjected to racist jibes by a gang of youths, Worcester Crown Court was told.

But 32-year-old Aydin Seven over-reacted, said prosecutor Peter Cooke and it led to violence on two occasions.

The youths – referred to as yobs by Recorder Adrian Redgrave QC – massed outside the shop in Moat Way and pulled up their hoods to conceal their identity from CCTV cameras.

An employee arriving for work was greeted by racist chants and was attacked in June last year, said Mr Cooke. Seven came to his assistance armed with a steel sharpening tool. It was brought out as a deterrent and caused the youths to flee.

Months later in October, there was another demonstration outside the shop. Seven was obstructed as he came out with a delivery and became involved in a fight with a teenager.

Mr Cooke said he admitted head-butting the youth and he also pleaded guilty to having an offensive weapon in a public placeduring the June encounter.

Timothy Burrows, defending, said things had calmed down since the October incident and two youths were to appear before magistrates. Mr Seven intended to carry on with his business.

Recorder Redgrave told Seven that he had been more sinned against than sinning. He had been the victim of unpleasant and illegal behaviour.

He gave him a 12-month conditional discharge for both offences coupled with a £15 victims surcharge.

“And he advised the defendant: “Don’t give in to yobs.”

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“3CAFA would urge shopkeepers/business owners in the three counties area who are, or have been, subjected to racist abuse to contact us via the contact page“