A drunk man shouted racial abuse at Indian restaurant workers who refused to serve him.

Lee Smith pleaded guilty to three racially aggravated offences when he appeared at North and West Cumbria Magistrates' court in Carlisle.

The court heard how 32-year-old, of Hadrian Court, Brampton Old Road, Carlisle, shouted threatening and abusive racially charged comments at three employees of Masala Bazaar, in the city's Botchergate, on Sunday, May 21.

He also admitted two offences of racially aggravated common assault against two of the workers, Joseph Gomes and Hamzah Dhalech.

"Mr Dhalech ushered the defendant onto the street," said prosecutor Pam Ward.

"The defendant started shouting racially aggravated comments to the men who are all of Indian background."

She said a witness put himself between the defendant and the three men.

The court heard how Smith snapped Dhalech's hand as he tried to move the defendant away from the premises.

"The defendant pushed Mr Gomes as he was on the phone to the police causing him to stumble," continued Mrs Ward.

She said the third employee felt in fear of immediate violence during the incident. Dhalech, Mrs Ward added, felt harassed.

In Smith's defence, Jack Lovelle said: "He is remorseful and completely embarrassed to find himself before the court - especially for an offence of this nature.

"Prior to arriving at the restaurant he consumed a significant amount of alcohol, something he doesn't normally do."

Smith arrived at the restaurant drunk at 9pm and was told the restaurant was closing. But he could still see people eating inside.

"He thought he was being turned away because he is a traveller," said Mr Lovelle.

"He fully accepts his behaviour was unacceptable."

Smith, who is married with five children, was a given a one year community sentence of 180 hours unpaid work.

Magistrates ordered him to pay £100 to each of his three victims and £85 in costs, to be paid in the next 28 days.