A RESTAURANT worker has been sent to prison after escaping police arrest and running down a Hereford street while handcuffed shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ .

Mohammed Hussain, 27, scared morning shoppers earlier this month and caused motorists to stop.

Hussain, of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty to behaving in a way that caused fear of the use of violence, resisting arrest, obstructing a police officer and being drunk and disorderly.

He also admitted breaching a 23-week suspended sentence for a domestic assault matter when he appeared before Hereford Magistrates.

Sara Beddow, prosecuting, said police received a call from a member of the public on September 20 concerned for the safety of Hussain who was walking down the middle of Whitecross Road.

Hussain, the court heard, became increasingly aggressive towards the attending police officers and was arrested and placed in handcuffs.

But he managed to push the police away and escape on foot.

He was heard shouting ‘Allahu Akbar’ – Allah is Greater – while running in front of cars which were forced to stop.

“Due to his nature a member of the public stopped and asked police if they needed any help,” added Ms Beddow.

“The defendant clearly caused distress and alarm to members of the public.”

A police officer chased the defendant and shouted ‘stop’ causing the defendant to momentarily turn. This allowed the officer to deploy pepper spray and Hussain was detained.

He continued to shout and spit at officers when he was taken to custody.

Hussain also told a police officer: ‘I will hunt you down’.

Emma Thorne, mitigating, said that Hussain had arrived in Hereford earlier that week from Birmingham to work at a restaurant near Whitecross.

“He did his first shift on Monday and finished at 11.30pm before starting drinking alcohol,” said Mrs Thorne.

“He accepts he has alcohol issues and returned to a friend’s address on Whitecross Road before leaving there at 9.30am. He was trying to sober up and thought the morning air might help.

“He accepts that alcohol is a key feature in this case and had he been sober he wouldn’t have behaved this way.”

Magistrates activated the 23-week suspended sentence. He was ordered to complete a further four weeks for using words with the intent of causing fear.

Hussain was also ordered to pay a £115 victim surcharge at last Thursday's hearing.