Retired Norfolk teacher admits describing pro-Palestine demonstrators as 'animals'
68 year old Robert Mackenzie has been warned he's at risk of going to prison
A retired teacher and former councillor described pro-Palestine protesters as "animals" and told them to go back to their own country, a court has heard.
Robert Mackenzie, 68, from Long Stratton, Norfolk, admitted hurling the racist comments at demonstrators gathered in Whitehall, central London, last month, when he appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
When a police officer intervened to protect him from the "angry crowd", he said, "Why are you even here in this country?", and was then arrested.
Mackenzie was a local councillor in Long Stratton until he was forced to retire because of the offence, the court heard.
He was among three men charged with a criminal offence at the same protest, the Metropolitan Police said.
Aldib Nour, 20, was also arrested and charged with possession of a knife, which he pleaded not guilty to at a short hearing in Westminster Magistrates' Court on Thursday.
Mackenzie pleaded guilty to one count of causing racially aggravated harassment towards Pc Aslam and a member of the public.
David Burns, prosecuting, told the court: "This incident took place on October 14 during a Palestine protest.
"Mr Mackenzie had attended. He was seen shouting at protesters, 'You're animals - go back to your own country'.
"The police then intervened for his own safety and he said to Pc Aslam, 'Why are you even here in this country?' He was then arrested."
Ines Diab, defending, described Mackenzie as a "family man" with children and a grandchild who had been married for 40 years.
She said: "He has been a teacher teaching mostly Asian girls and he has never had a problem.
"He tells me he plays an active part in the local community and was a councillor until he was charged with this offence and had to retire."
The court heard a letter, written by Mackenzie and addressed to Pc Aslam, in which he said he was sorry for the "unacceptable comments", adding: "It is unacceptable that a police officer has to put up with this sort of abuse whilst doing his job - especially when you were trying to protect me from an angry crowd."
Regarding Mackenzie's three previous offences, all related to protests, chief magistrate Paul Goldspring described him as "not of good character" and said he could not rule out a prison sentence.
Mackenzie was released on bail until November 30 at the same court.