A disturbing incident unfolded in Eltham when a tree surgeon, Mathew McGrory, unleashed a barrage of racial abuse towards a woman during a payment dispute, a court heard.
McGrory, 31, from Kempton Avenue in Hornchurch, found himself embroiled in a disagreement with the client over the remaining £1,000 of the agreed payment while on a job in Eltham. The disagreement quickly escalated into a vile rant, during which McGrory directed racially charged insults at the woman, calling her a “f***ing mongrel” and a “dirty bald-headed lesbian.
The prosecutor, Robert Evans, revealed to Woolwich Crown Court that McGrory’s tirade was sparked by a dispute regarding the work carried out. The court heard that McGrory’s abusive outburst was recorded by the client’s daughter, capturing the shocking nature of the incident.
McGrory’s behavior didn’t stop there. He returned to the property later, only to continue his verbal assault, this time targeting the woman’s husband with further abusive language, threatening to dump rubbish on their driveway.
Despite initially denying the use of racist language during police interviews, McGrory later pleaded guilty to two counts of intentional harassment, alarm, or distress, and one count of racially aggravated intentional harassment, alarm, or distress.
McGrory’s troubling history was also brought to light during the proceedings, revealing 26 previous convictions, including convictions for threatening behavior and racially aggravated assault. Currently serving a suspended sentence for burglary, McGrory’s repeated offenses underscored the seriousness of the situation.
However, the court heard from a probation worker who noted McGrory’s expression of remorse, believed to be genuine. Taking this into consideration, Judge Steven Kovats KC opted for a five-month custodial sentence, suspended for two years. Additionally, McGrory was ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Kovats acknowledged the risk of imprisonment resulting in McGrory’s loss of employment, a consequence that would impact both him and his family. Despite the leniency shown, the severity of McGrory’s actions and their impact on the victims were not overlooked.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the need for zero tolerance towards racially aggravated harassment, underlining the importance of holding perpetrators accountable for their actions
