A MAN who got drunk before racially abusing a pizza shop owner and smashing the takeaway counter is ashamed of his actions, a court heard.

Mark Stockdale was intoxicated when he went to Pizza Home, in Tow Law, just before 9pm on Sunday, September 21.

Magistrates, sitting at Newton Aycliffe today (Friday, October 24), heard the 28-year-old repeatedly asked the shop owner if he was a Muslim.

When asked what he wanted, Stockdale told the owner "don’t talk to me because you’re black" but spoke to his female assistant and said "I’ll speak to you because you’re white".

He was served and left the takeaway but returned 15 minutes later to order more food and again used foul language and made rude comments.

He told the owner not to spit in his kebab, insisting it be prepared in front of him and repeatedly quizzed the victim on his religion.

When asked to leave, Stockdale threw his food onto a deep fat fryer, which the manager was able to remove before it caused a fire.

He then pushed a display counter causing a glass panel to fall and smash on the floor. A pane of glass in the shop door was also broken.

John Garside, prosecuting, said the victim had no doubt his religion and race had motivated Stockdale’s behaviour and he had been shaken by the incident.

Reading the victim’s statement, Mr Garside said: “I have been in the UK six years, have a family here and intend to live here the rest of my life.

“I work hard to provide for my family, have two jobs to support them. What gives this man the right to insult me and damage my property?”

The 28-year-old had admitted racially aggravated common assault and racially aggravated criminal damaged at an earlier court appearance.

Laura Calvert, mitigating, said Stockdale, of Attlee Estate, Tow Law, was extremely ashamed and did not have any underlying racism issues.

She said: “Mr Stockdale is a hard working family man, he generally keeps himself to himself and out of trouble.

“For some unexplained reason on this evening he had far too much to drink and behaved completely out of character.

“He is embarrassed and has shown regret.”

Magistrates sentenced him to 120 hours unpaid work with 12 months supervision and was ordered to pay £225 compensation, a £50 victim surcharge and £85 legal costs.