Man told black woman 'when Brexit comes you will be gone' in racist tirade at London betting shop, court hears

Seventy-four-year-old denies making comment and calling worker a 'f***ing n*****'

A pensioner told a black woman “when Brexit comes you will be gone” in a racist tirade at a London betting shop, a court heard.

John Keogh, 74, allegedly called Anneka Davis a “f***ing n*****” at a Coral bookmakers in Peckham, southeast London, on 23 August 2018.

He is alleged to have told her: “When Brexit comes you will be gone.”

Mr Keogh denied one count of racially aggravated public disorder and a second public order offence at Camberwell Green Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.

Prosecuting, Chidi Ikwuakolam said Mr Keogh, of Bermondsey, southeast London, was “dealing with a member of staff” when he made the alleged comments.

The defendant, who is hard of hearing, was allowed to sit in the body of the court behind his solicitor Ricky Yau during the five-minute hearing.

He appeared wearing a dark grey coat, white trousers, brown shoes and glasses and spoke to confirm his name, address, date of birth and nationality as Irish.

District Judge Sue Green bailed Mr Keogh ahead of a trial at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 23 May.