Man pelted with rocks and fireworks in Glasgow hate crime attack

Dad-of-three Able Miller, aged 62 at home in Glasgow. Picture: SWNS

Shocking footage shows a group of yobs running riot outside the refugee family’s home before they viciously attacked 62-year-old Able Miller.

Able, who is disabled and relies on crutches, had left his home to confront those who had thrown a firework at his car windscreen.

But the youths then proceeded to racially abuse him and threw bricks at him, forcing him to run back into his house, before they ran off.

CCTV footage shows yobs attacking Able Miller at his home with fireworks and bricks. Picture: SWNS

He was taken to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and treated for burns to his hands and feet.

The horrifying experience has left Able and his family, who are refugees from Zimbabwe, with no option but to leave Glasgow and Scotland behind.

Able, who stood as a member of parliament in Zimbabwe, was previously forced to leave his home country in 2002 after political rivals shot and burned him.

He came to Scotland looking for safety, but amid growing resentment of immigrants and refugees in the UK over the last few years, he has been attacked 17 times.

The latest sickening attack in the early hours of Sunday morning was the worst he has faced, and left his 13-year-old daughter, who has Down’s syndrome, hiding in her room.

Able said: “In Zimbabwe, I had my back broken in two places and I was shot twice in the left leg. I can’t bend my knee and need a walking stick.

“But what happened to me over the weekend was the worst thing I have ever experienced. Nothing compares to that.

“I’m 62 years old. I shouldn’t be involved in things like this. My dignity has been taken away. I thought I was going to lose my mind as they were attacking me.

“I cannot stay here anymore, I don’t feel safe and I worry for my family. I hope to move to Sheffield and live in the black community there.”

Able, a former politician and engineer, came to Glasgow with his wife and two older daughters in 2002 after fleeing Zimbabwe.

He moved into his current home in the Springburn area of the city in 2008 and due to not being able to get work as an engineer, has had several jobs including driving a bus.

Officers from Police Scotland are now appealing for information in connection with the attack which they are treating as a hate crime.

They said an extensive investigation, led by the local Problem Solving Team for Glasgow North East, has been launched with officers conducting door-to-door enquiries as well as examining CCTV.

Area commander chief inspector Steve Hazlett said: “This was a horrific attack on a family home and a father who came out to protect them.

“It is absolutely essential that we trace the cowardly and despicable individuals responsible as soon as possible because this type of behaviour simply will not be tolerated in our community.

“Officers are following a number of lines of enquiry and I am confident that we will find the group of youths who did this but we need the support of the local community to achieve this.

“If you have any information that could assist with our enquiries, no matter how insignificant it might be, please get in touch.

“Anyone with information is asked to contact officers at Shettleston Police Office via 101.

“Alternatively you can call CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 where details can be given anonymously.”