A VICTIM of a catalogue of race hate incidents has said he is leaving Greenock because of abuse suffered at the hands of local yobs.

Adeel Khan, 29, said he has been sickened by repeated racial taunts and threats while working at a service station in Regent Street.

He is now relocating to Manchester with his wife next month because he doesn’t ‘feel safe’ living here.

He spoke to the Tele after two Greenock men were convicted over separate incidents.

Mark Eardley, 19, was fined £250 after being found guilty of making a racial comment to Mr Khan at the BP garage in October last year, while Andrew Barron, 23, was ordered to carry out 90 hours of unpaid work after uttering threats at the garage in November. Barron did not make any racist comment.

Mr Khan said those were just two of numerous incidents during a five month spell working behind the counter.

He said: “There have been many cases when I have been racially abused.

“I haven’t reported them because of the lack of witnesses and evidence.

“Once, a guy asked me for cigarettes. When I asked for money he tried to snatch them. When he was not successful he swore at me and called me a ‘Paki’.

“Another time a guy was calling me a ‘Paki’. I opened my mobile and started recording and he just kept saying ‘Paki, Paki, Paki’.

“I moved here because my wife had found a job. But she lost her employment so there is no reason now to stay.

“I like Greenock, there are plenty of opportunities, but I don’t feel safe.

“I have lived in many places – London, Glasgow and Holland – and have never experienced this type of abuse anywhere else.

“It’s the first time it has happened to me in my seven years in the UK.” Mark Eardley, of Carwood Street, was fined for shouting, swearing and making a racist remark towards Mr Khan.

Sentencing him at Greenock Sheriff Court, Sheriff Thomas McCartney said: “Offences of this kind are nasty and unpleasant and no-one should be subject to it. It’s highly unacceptable.” He stated that Eardley was currently subject to a community payback order for another offence.

Recalling that incident, Mr Khan said: “He came into the shop and was trying to steal.

“I locked the door and called the police straight away. He abused me racially.” Andrew Barron, of Lansbury Street, was sentenced for shouting, swearing and uttering threats at the garage while he was on bail.

At Greenock Sheriff Court, depute fiscal Kevin Doherty said: “Mr Barron entered the petrol station at 10.30pm on a Saturday night.

“Mr Khan recognised him from previous dealings and as a result he decided to keep an eye on him.

“He was seen to lift various items and appeared to Mr Khan to be leaving with the items so he locked the door.

“Both staff members were alarmed and contacted the police.” His solicitor Edel McGinty said: “He acknowledges the impact this has had on those involved.” Another Greenock man was convicted in May for a breach of the peace offence that was witnessed by Mr Khan. He was ordered to carry out a community payback order.

Responding to the sentences, Mr Khan said: “I believe in the police and the UK judiciary, so whatever they give them according to law, that is good.”