Patrick Neil Watcho: Man hurls racist slur at staff over fuel prices

A man who lashed a Murgon shop staff member with a reprehensible slur over a fuel bill asked a court to give him yet another fine he could add to the staggering $17,000 SPER debt he has amassed.

A man who unleashed a vile racist rant at a store employee after realising the cost of his fuel bill has asked for a fine to be added to his staggering $17,000 SPER bill.

Patrick Neil Watcho pulled into the Murgon Country Fried Chicken shop for food and fuel in April.

Watcho entered the shop to order food while his passenger filled the car, but when he found out the cost of the petrol he became furious and hostile.

Police prosecutor Barry Stevens told Murgon Magistrates Court the 45-year-old repeatedly banged his hands on the counter of the shop before leaving.

When police later spoke to Watcho, he admitted calling the attendant a “curry-munching dog”.

Defence lawyer Babu Singh sought his client to be penalised by a fine, but it was revealed Watcho had already amassed an astonishing amount in fines.

The court heard the Burnett man, who had a ‘significant’ history and multiple public nuisance convictions, owed SPER more than $17000 and was paying off the debt in $30 instalments.

He pleaded guilty to public nuisance and was ordered to complete 40 hours of community service.