Man refuses treatment from British-Asian optician because 'Manchester attack was the last straw'

'Charlottesville is what happens if you don’t take this kind of thing seriously,' says Sheriff

The Specsavers branch in Lanark, Scotland (Google)

A Scottish man refused to be treated by an optician of Asian heritage because the “'Manchester attack was the last straw”, a court has heard.

Eric Greene, 58, visited the Lanark branch of Specsavers when he told the employee he would “rather be seen by a white person”, according to a report.

The remarks were made two days after the Manchester attack, which left 22 people dead.

After being asked to sit down by British trainee optician Sarah Kerr, whose family is of Indian and Pakistani origin, Mr Greene apparently appeared hesitant.

He then said: “I don’t mean to sound impersonal but I’d rather be seen by a white person,” the Scotsman reported.

Showing her his Star of David necklace, Mr Greene added: “I’m sorry but Manchester was the last straw for me.”

He was later arrested and pled guilty to racist breach of the peace at Lanark Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Nikola Stewart has ordered reports into the incident.

She said: “Charlottesville is what happens if you don’t take this kind of thing seriously.”

One person died in the Virginia, US, town, and 19 were injured, when a far right activist allegedly rammed an anti-fascist crowd with his car.

Mr Greene will be sentenced next month after reports into the incident have been completed.