A MAN racially abused Asian staff at a Leominster restaurant before throwing a pint of cider over a member of staff, magistrates heard this week.

David Richard Dyer had visited Jalalabad on Etnam Street with his partner Rachel Marie Blythin when trouble flared.

Both denied racially aggravated assault but were found guilty of the charge following a trial last month.

Shafquat Raez, prosecuting, told Hereford Magistrates Court that Dyer and Blythin had visited the restaurant on February 9 of this year.

They had sat down and ordered drinks but, sometime after receiving the refreshments, got up to leave.

A member of staff at the restaurant asked the couple if everything was alright, but received an abusive response from Dyer.

He then asked Dyer to pay for their drinks, to which Dyer responded with a further abusive remark before he threw a pint of cider over him.

Dyer then attacked him and called him a racially abusive name.

Another staff member was punched in the face after coming to the aid of his colleague.

Dyer was pushed out of the restaurant by staff members but continued his abuse before twice attempting to regain entry.

In addition to the assault charge, Blythlin was found guilty of using "threatening and abusive words" towards the staff while Dyer admitted the charge.

Dyer, who is 34 and from Westcroft, Leominster, was given a 12-month community order and told to complete 20 rehabilitation activity requirement (RAR) days.

He was also ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work due to the racially aggravated nature of the offence and told to pay £200 in compensation to the waiters, costs of £280 and a victim surcharge of £75.

Blythin, who is also 34 and from Westcroft in Leominster, was given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 20 RAR days.

She was ordered to pay £280 costs, a victim surcharge of £85, and a total of £150 in compensation to the waiters.