Racist jibe directed at shop boss by drunk
A BARNSTAPLE man has been convicted of making a racist remark to a shopkeeper.
Malcolm Geall, 47, of Hughes Avenue, pleaded guilty at North Devon Magistrates' Court to racially harassing Elis Gurgur at the Londis store in Newport Road.
Magistrates heard that Geall said to Mrs Gurgur: "Go back to your own country you foreigner. You're too expensive."
For the prosecution, Chris Bittlestone said the incident took place on June 14 when Geall and his partner's son went to buy a bottle of vodka from the store.
Geall told his partner's son they should go to Tesco because it was cheaper. He was then heard making the remark.
In Mrs Gurgur's statement, which was read to the court by Mr Bittlestone, she said: "I was totally shocked by the remark.
"To be honest, I was scared he would be violent towards me or damage the shop. I would be very scared for my children if he came back in."
Mr Bittlestone said Mr Geall could not remember what happened as he had drunk "24 cans" that night.
Geall, who was defending himself, said he was ashamed by what had happened.
He said: "My partner's son had returned from Afghanistan, so we were celebrating.
"I had too much to drink. It is not a part of my character and I am ashamed for behaving that way."
Geall was fined £80 for the offence. He was also ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge. He was not made to pay costs.







114 Comments
View all
by roger hand, fuengirola spain
Tuesday, September 28 2010, 1:24AM
“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mA0nM8l8onE”
by exmoor bouy, south molton
Saturday, September 25 2010, 5:30PM
“Old fart says "it winds me up something cronic actually"....dunno why because it really is nothing serious.....I am very interested as to how you think you know that there are posters on here from the B*P??? I think if you are going to make false accusations about people who have a different opinion to yours you should get your facts straight before someone retires on a compensation payout from your silly assumptions! Especially as its nothing serious and your always wrong...”
by exmoor bouy, south molton
Friday, September 24 2010, 7:56PM
“typical of old fart again.......jumping to conclusions to meet his own political shortfalls and understandings.
Then, he goes on to have the audacity to say people have the freedom of speech...unbelievable comment if Iv'e ever read one. practice what you preach old fart, and stop accusing people of being members of certain parties when clearly you have no idea about most things!”
by Old Fart @ play, Barum
Friday, September 24 2010, 7:43PM
“Erebus:
Firstly - calm down, you'll do yourself a mischief.
Secondly, unlike yourself, at least I post my comments under the same name, every time.
Thirdly, it is one thing to argue that Mr Geall has been the victim of political correctness, it is quite the other for the person saying this to be a member of a far-right political organisation renowned for it's racist views.
That's not my fault, rather the person concerned for not being very clever in retaining their anonymity - this is after all the internet age. Information is available about all sorts of people, you only have to look.
Obviously my comments have got on your nerves, for which I apologise but hey, that's freedom of speech for you.”
by Erebus, Bideford
Friday, September 24 2010, 7:20PM
“Old **** at Play said "Why does it matter if someone is a member of the BNP? - Personally I couldn't care less."
That has got to be just about the most disingenuous statement in this whole sorry thread.
You are obsessed with the BNP.
You introduced the BNP into this thread.
You accuse other posters of being BNP members and threaten to 'expose' them.
You insult anyone who you even think holds an opposing view.
If that doesn't work, you accuse anyone who doesn't agree with you of 'racism'.
You are as despicable as those who you accuse.
"Why does it matter if someone is a member of the BNP? - Personally I couldn't care less."
Don't make me laugh - it is the be all and end all of your existence on this thread! You ask for honesty in other posters and then hide yourself behind self righteous indignation.
If the NDJ have anything about them, they would shut this comments page down right now.”
by Old Fart at play, Barum
Friday, September 24 2010, 4:50PM
“Why does it matter if someone is a member of the BNP? - Personally I couldn't care less.
In the context of this argument it does matter because they are on this forum trying to argue that an individual who racially insulted someone, is in fact a "victim".
Not only that but they are pretending that race is not the issue here.
I happen to think we should know their true motivation.”
by exmoor bouy, south molton
Friday, September 24 2010, 2:25PM
“Well said Mark and well said Thomasz....could not agree more
Old Fart Barking (sorry I mean Barum)...post deleted???? Dont flatter yourself, your opinions are not important enough for me to get them deleted!”
by Tomasz Brszwyczyszowrzsyszky, Bideford
Friday, September 24 2010, 10:56AM
“Old fart, the reason the victim of this miscarriage of justice did not elaborate on his claims in court was because once you plead guilty, even to a crime you didn't commit (which happens on a daily basis for all kinds of reasons...in this victim's case, not being able to afford his legal right to a defence), you have to "pretend" you genuinely are guilty because otherwise the corrupt probation service will put you down as being "in denial" and will give you a larger fine/sentence.
I do hope the victim makes this case known beyond the confines of North Devon, so that the wider public know of this corruption in our legal system, and the lies told by Mrs Gurgur regarding her children's safety, as well as the phantom witness who decided to turn up a month after the event. All I can say is I wonder how these people sleep at night.
An article/letter to one of the left-leaning broadsheets wouldn't go amiss and I'm sure would inspire thousands of similar tales of miscarriages of justice like this, so that the problem is more widely known.”
by Old Fart at play, Barum
Friday, September 24 2010, 7:44AM
“Mark, I think you'll find there are clear guidelines about how to deal with these type of incidents.
You believe the 'improved' version of events, told by Malcolm Geall, after his conviction.. Do you really think this is reliable evidence?
Mysteriously, after the event, the guilty party tells a completely different version of the story - shame he didn't have the courage to do so in court. Perhaps like most racists and bullies, he is a coward.
Speaking of racists, as if it wasn't obvious, there are members of the BNP posting here. Getting my posts deleted will not shut me up, Exmoor Bouy.”
by Mark, Barnstaple
Thursday, September 23 2010, 10:25PM
“Old Fart at play, Barum just a couple of points the only witness was the person making the complaint and CCTV only records images not sound unless it is an expensive set up.....and why is there such a large gap in the time of the incident till the time of complaint....as there was no children present in the shop NO threat was present towards thier safety, if the complainant felt to threatend the 999 call would have been made not three or four days later after time to colaberate a story. This is one case that unless persons were there no one can say 100% what went on and as such the only real evidence is cctv showing that Mr Geall was in the shop at a set time. It is all to easy these days to play a racist card and unfortunately not all persons are guilty of it but it s very hard to prove otherwise due to political correctness, and due to this the legal system is very tainted for fear a real case of racism goes un judged as happening. It is time this was addressed by our government and clear lines drawn on how to deal with cases like this and for termanology that can be classed legally as racist.If his remarks were out of order and he was drunk the same outcome fine wise could have been obtained by a fixed penalty for drunkeness in a public place if the police had been called at the time of the hainuss crime. As there was conflicting stories there was a complete waste of money taking this to trial well done CPS again..lets hope they believe the next person who had to call 999 because of racial assault or attack, because this one was borderline storytime and an attempt to seek money for it.”