Firefighter racially abused boy working at Chinese takeaway

A FIREFIGHTER was sacked from his job after racially abusing a 16-year-old boy working at a Chinese takeaway and urinating on the shop floor in front of stunned customers.

- PHILIP DEWEY

Following the abuse, the victim suffered “emotional and physical harm” and said he previously looked up to members of the first service, having served as a fire cadet.

Gareth Hancock, 35, had drunk up to eight pints when he entered the takeaway in Tredegar on June 2, 2023 and began aiming racial abuse towards the teenager while acting aggressively. He and three colleagues from Ebbw Vale fire station had been drinking in Wetherspoons before heading to the takeaway.

A sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court on Friday heard the defendant was “abusive, aggressive and obnoxious” and deliberately set off a door alarm.

He was served by the victim and when asked for his order, he responded “dog fried rice” and “ting tong rice”. Hancock laughed with colleagues, thinking his abuse was “hilarious”. He then asked for a discount and produced his Blue Light Card.