A MAN has been fined after racially harassing a delivery driver on a Hereford street.

Daniel Coyle, of Wigmore Grove, admitted the offence when he appeared before magistrates in Hereford on July 29.

Jo Tait, prosecuting, said police had been called after Coyle staggered into the road in Hereford on November 28 and knocked on the window of a delivery van, which was crawling along searching for an address.

“He started asking the driver where he is from,” Miss Tait said.

“He kept knocking, and said ‘you are in England now, not Tunisia’, before staggering away”.

Miss Tait said Coyle was very confused as to why he had said this and was very embarrassed.

In interview, 32-year-old Coyle said he did not normally drink much and he could not remember what he had done.

“This man has no reason to lie, and I am disgusted with myself,” Coyle told police.

Coyle, who chose to represent himself so he could better convey his apology, said there had been several very traumatic events leading up to the incident.

“I tried to bottle it all up and kept drinking and drinking. It all just built up,” Coyle said.

“I ended up rowing with family members and this man. There is no excuse for speaking to someone like that, and I am truly sorry for what I have done.”

Coyle was fined £55 and must pay compensation of £50. He must also pay costs of £185 and a £32 victim surcharge.