Starbeck racial abuse victim praises "kind-hearted" response of Harrogate community

A Starbeck business owner who was racially abused outside his own shop last month has thanked the Harrogate community for showing him their 'love and support'.
Joint owner of Spoilt Gelato Pajwa Mo (on right) with his daughter Laiqa(9) and joint owner Khuram Jahangir outside Spoilt Gelato in Starbeck.(1607253AM1)Joint owner of Spoilt Gelato Pajwa Mo (on right) with his daughter Laiqa(9) and joint owner Khuram Jahangir outside Spoilt Gelato in Starbeck.(1607253AM1)
Joint owner of Spoilt Gelato Pajwa Mo (on right) with his daughter Laiqa(9) and joint owner Khuram Jahangir outside Spoilt Gelato in Starbeck.(1607253AM1)

Pajwa Mo, owner of Spoilt Gelato, was subjected to a tirade of foul-mouthed, racial abuse as he stood outside his ice cream parlour on Starbeck’s High Street on Sunday.

However, the Harrogate community immediately rallied behind the popular business owner with a number of touching messages left to him on the Advertiser’s Facebook page.

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Kathleen Jones said: “Sorry one idiot has upset you. Harrogate is better than that, stay and rise above the idiots.”

Gemma Bramley said: “We love you and your team Paj...don’t let any small minded, racist bigots get to you. X”

Alex B Cann posted: “Heartened by the comments here. 99 per cent of people are good; let’s show these vile bigots up for what they are.”

Mary Day said: “I live opposite the shop and know that they are hardworking polite people and we are happy to welcome them to the Starbeck community”

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Charlotte Dawson said: “Sorry that you had to go through this. Love to you and your family x.”

Pajwa said he was “overwhelmed” by the public’s response to the front-page article in the Harrogate Advertiser and thanked them for their kind thoughts and messages.

He said: “Even until today I’m having people coming in and stopping by to show they support to me. For sure, many people have shown me love and support and my thoughts have not changed.

“He is one person but thousands who have shown me their love. I will not change my perception because of him.”