A MAN with a history of violence and racist offences has been jailed for 20 weeks for the racially aggravated assault of a curry restaurant manager.

Bradford Crown Court was today told that Samuel Smith, 25, had gone into the Shimla Spice in Shipley, on April 25, with a friend, to use the toilets. They were asked to leave but he became abusive and refused to go and pushed the manager, Mohammed Akhtar, causing him to fall backwards against the bar, knocking plates on the floor and grazing his elbow.

The court heard Smith was physically escorted from the premises by restaurant staff, but he swung his arms, offered to fight and swore at them. He was pinned to the ground by the staff.

Mr Akhtar told his staff to leave Smith, but the defendant threw a punch at him and shouted racial abuse.

Smith, of Briggate Terrace, Shipley, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated battery. The court heard he had convictions for violence and two for racially aggravated offences.