A BRIGHOUSE rugby league player who attacked a man in the town in a racially aggravated and unprovoked assault has been spared immediate jail.

Ben Drennan, 22, had been drinking in the town on October 29 last year when he called Elias Mwamunyange a N***** and said: "What are you doing in Brighouse?"

Drennan then followed the complainant to a waiting minicab and attacked him, raining three or four blows to his face while he was sitting inside.

Drennan, of Edward Street, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing actual bodily harm, but denied any racial intent.

He was found guilty of racially aggravated assault during a one-day trial at Bradford Crown Court and the sentencing had been adjourned to today for pre-sentence reports.

Prosecuting, Camille Morland, said the victim had sustained a cut on his left eyebrow which required dressing at hospital.

He also suffered headaches and light sensitivity to the affected eye as well as anxiety while out in Brighouse fearing he would bump into his attacker.

Defending, Giles Bridge said his client was both remorseful and apologetic about the attack that night and had already met the victim in town and apologised for his behaviour, which was accepted.

Mr Bridge said the attack was wholly out of character. He said Drennan claimed he was not a racist, but it was a set of circumstances which led him to drink excessively that night.

"The first of these circumstances was the fact he had just been made redundant and the second was that about this time there were investigations going on into his father's illness and he feared it may be cancer. It later turned out to be correct.

"He never accepted the element of racial aggravation saying he would never use that (racist) word to anyone but a jury found he did.

"It was very out of character and very unlikely to be repeated. He has had the opportunity to reflect and recognised the jeopardy he put himself in and the heartache he placed on his family. His father is terminally ill with cancer.

"He is a rugby league player and has passed a coaching qualification.

"He has since got a job as a scaffolder and completed an apprenticeship. He also helps care for his father at weekends while his mother is at work."

Sentencing Drennan to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, Recorder Graham Cook said: "You claim you are not racist, but you made an emotive and racist comment and a jury found you guilty of that.

"You went out on October 28 last year and you had a lot to drink. Later, you became agitated and for some reason you took out your anger while approaching the complainant and made a racial comment.

"You then followed him and entered the taxi he was in and punched him in his face which required hospital treatment.

"I am conscious that it was a completely unprovoked attack and that you had taken out your distress on the complainant.

"I acknowledge that you have shown genuine remorse and had approached the victim since and apologised."

Drennan was ordered to pay court costs of £2,800, £1,000 compensation to Mr Mwamunyange and a victim surcharge of £140.

He must also carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and complete community orders to include a rehabilitation activity.

No separate penalty was given for the charge of actual bodily harm.