A FACTORY worker has apologised to magistrates for his "totally outrageous" behaviour after he attacked co-workers in a fit of temper.

Azram Majeed assaulted four colleagues, damaged equipment and hurled racial abuse after managers tried to speak to him about a disciplinary matter, Bradford and Keighley Magistrates' Court heard today.

Majeed, 24, had been employed by Morrisons at its Farmers Boy food manufacturing plant in Greenside Park, Bradford.

Prosecuting, Paul Ramsay said on April 4 this year, Majeed "lost his temper" and punched and kicked his line manager, Milai Mesicek.

Mr Ramsay said Majeed then assaulted two other people, Mark Holmes and Jan Rechtoris, when they tried to intervene.

He said Majeed set off down the factory, damaging a meat processing machine, a locker and a glass door, valued at a total of £2,500.

Mr Ramsay said: "The defendant kept making references to Eastern Europeans."

He said as Majeed was being escorted off-site, he spat in the face of colleague Marmins Dixon.

Majeed, of Thorn Lane, Lower Grange, Bradford, pleaded guilty to criminal damage, racially aggravated harassment and four counts of assault.

Mitigating, John Raj said: "There was an incident a week before what happened. He had been disciplined a week before. He felt that was unfair, he felt there was a bit of a ganging up among certain members.

"After being suspended for a week, he returns to work and that's when he loses his cool."

Addressing magistrates, Majeed said: "What I did was totally outrageous. It was totally out-of-character."

He said he was sorry for what he had done.

He said: "I lost my temper and I do apologise for that."

The court heard he was now claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, so his ability to reimburse Morrisons for the damage was limited.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order with 180 hours of unpaid work.

Chairman of the magistrates, Andrew Eastell, said Majeed must also pay compensation of £100 to Mr Mesicek, £50 each to the three other assault victims and "a token gesture" of £100 to Morrisons for the damage.

He said they had decided not to ban Majeed from going to the Farmers Boy site or contacting the people he had assaulted.

Mr Eastell said: "We believe you won't be going back there."