Racist attackers struck shop workers with metal pole and hurled slew of abuse in raid on Glasgow store

Racist attackers hurled abuse and attacked employees with a metal pole at a car parts shop.

Kieran Coyle, 30, and David McAlpine, 27, made the remarks to Mazher Latif, 53, Aftab Hussain, 56, Muzeffar Ahmed, 55 and Ather Latif, 53, at Auto Cruisers Superstore in Glasgow’s Gallowgate.

The city’s Sheriff Court heard that the pair entered the store while under the influence on May 4, 2022.

Coyle stated: “You don’t belong here, this is our country” while McAlpine said: “You p*** b******s.”

Mazher Latif asked both men to leave the shop.

Prosecutor Lauren Donnelly said: “Coyle ran towards him and punched him with a closed fist to the right side of the head.”

All four employees attempted to push Coyle away.

Ms Donnelly said: “Coyle and McAlpine continued to behave aggressively towards the men punching Mazher Latif and Muzeffar Ahmed to the head and body.”

The employees managed to get both men outside where it was noted Coyle had a metal pole.

Coyle continued to shout “p*** b******s.”

He then swung the metal pole in the direction of Mazher Latif with it striking him on the head causing him to bleed.

Aftab Hussain was also struck on the head in a similar fashion.

Coyle dropped the pole while McAlpine fled the scene.

McAlpine was later arrested and told police officers: “I will bite your f***ing nose off you rude b******s.”

Mazher Latif was taken to hospital where he was treated with six stiches to a head wound.

Aftab Hussain meantime had superficial injuries which did not require further medical treatment.

Ms Donnelly told the court that Mazher Latif reported to her that the incident has left him “shaken” and changed how they talk to the public.

The victim added that he has undertaken self-defence classes.

The pair pled guilty to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards the four men.

Coyle admitted assaulting Aftab Hussain to his injury and Mazher Latif to his injury and permanent disfigurement.

McAlpine pled guilty to assaulting Mazher Latif to his injury and behaving in a threatening or abusive manner to police.

David McCaig, defending Coyle, told the court that the metal pole was from a hoover at the store.

The lawyer added: “He instructs me to tell the court that he is utterly remorseful.”

Paul Keenan, defending McAlpine, stated: “He accepts that this is deplorable and utterly reprehensible.”

Coyle was jailed for 32 months at Glasgow Sheriff Court.

Sheriff Paul Reid said: “This was an act of extreme violence against members of society who are serving the public in numerous ways – these people need to be protected.”

McAlpine, of Gourock, Inverclyde, will be sentenced next month and was granted bail in the meantime.