A RACIST Greenock thug threatened to gouge an Asian shopkeeper's eyeballs out with a POTATO PEELER.

Brian Cummings verbally abused the victim in the most vile way whilst brandishing the weapon at him in an alleyway.

The 56-year-old serial offender - convicted last month of a near £3,000 vehicle vandalism spree - is today facing the prospect of prison for his 'appalling' racially aggravated behaviour.

Cummings, of Inverkip Street, swore at the man and referred to his ethnicity by using a disgusting word after being challenged about dumping litter into a chute which his used for the shop's goods.

He shouted at his 39-year-old victim: "This is my town and I'm Scottish - you're not."

Prosecutor Gemma McKechnie told the sheriff court: "The shopkeeper began to back away from the situation and made his way back towards his shop, however, the accused then took a potato peeler from inside his left jacket sleeve and brandished it in an aggressive manner.

"He stated, 'I'm going to gouge your eyeballs out'."

Greenock Telegraph:

Cummings committed the indictment offence within the service lane between West Stewart Street and Kilblain Street shortly after 3pm on April 12 last year.

He had also been charged with setting fire to a bed and furniture at a Turkish barber premises on Kilblain Street and with struggling violently with police.

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However, his not guilty pleas to these allegations were accepted by the Crown.
Relaying the racially aggravated potato peeler offence, fiscal depute Miss McKechnie said:

"The accused continued to make threats to the shopkeeper and claimed that he was going to call someone."

Following his arrest at Kilblain Street, Cummings threatened a police officer by swearing and shouting: "I'll bite your nose off."

A review of CCTV footage confirmed that he had targeted the shopkeeper with a potato peeler.

Cummings had discarded the bladed item at the foot of the stairwell leading to West Stewart Street but it was recovered by police following a search of the area.

The court was told that, as he was being placed in a cell at the police office, Cummings swore again and stated: "It wasn't even a knife."

His lawyer, Amy Spencer, said: "He acknowledges that his behaviour was appalling and that it will not be tolerated.

"He has a background of alcohol abuse and is currently subject to a community payback order."

Greenock Telegraph:

The Telegraph told earlier this month how he caused nearly £3,000 worth of damage to several cars and has been allowed FIVE YEARS to pay compensation to his victims at a rate of £50 per month.

He also threatened to 'smash a shop manager's face in' after being asked to leave the Boots store in Greenock's Oak Mall.

Cummings was described at a hearing regarding those two offences as a 'considerable disturbance to the community'.

Sheriff James Spy deferred sentence on him for his racially aggravated potato peeler crimes until August 16.

The sheriff told Cummings: "I will call for a restriction of liberty order [electronic tagging] assessment for what it is worth, but be well warned that all [sentencing] options remain before the court."