A MAN who threw objects at the window of an Indian restaurant in a racial attack while customers were eating will be working in the community as his punishment.

Warrington Crown Court heard that Paul Humphries, aged 19, of Cynthia Avenue, Woolston, committed the offence in November last year at Sindh Indian Cuisine in Dam Lane.

Judge Philip Hughes told Humphries: "You persistently threw objects at the windows and eventually the glass in the door was broken.

"There had been some incident before when one of your associates had not been served, but that was no excuse at all.

"You carried out that attack against a background of racial abuse."

The court heard that Humphries was arrested and found with a canister capable of discharging mace.

Robert Hornby, prosecuting, said: "He said he was drunk on that night and couldn't remember where he got it from."

Virginia Hayton, defending, said that Humphries was deeply sorry and ashamed for what he did.

She added: "This offence was clearly out of character and he has never been in trouble before or since. He put the owners and customers in the restaurant through an ordeal and wants to apologise openly in court."

Humphries was found guilty of racially aggravated damage, and pleaded guilty on a charge of possession of a prohibited weapon.

He was sentenced to undertake a community punishment rehabilitation order of 100 hours' work over a period of 18 months. He must also pay compensation of £675 to the Latif family, who run the restaurant, and £1,281 court costs.