A 18-year-old who hurled racist abuse at a man and assaulted him during a night out in Stowmarket has been given a community order.

Billy Sylvester, of Church Lane, Elmswell, punched Mohan Shamsher to the back of the head in an unprovoked assault and told him to “go back to your own country you P***”, before shouting “you f****** P*** ****” at him.

Sylvester pleaded guilty before Ipswich magistrates to racially aggravated assault and resisting arrest on July 16.

Prosecutor Lucy Miller said Mr Shamsher had gone to Chicken Express in Stowmarket in the early hours of the morning.

Sylvester was very drunk and punching people to the back of the head while walking up and down the street. Mr Shamsher saw Sylvester doing this for about 15 to 20 minutes, magistrates were told.

Sylvester saw Mr Shamsher and without warning lifted his fist to punch him.

The punch connected with the back of Mr Shamsher’s head causing him to fall to the ground.

Mrs Miller said other people were holding on to Sylvester, but he continued to abuse Mr Shamsher, telling him to “go back to your own country you P***. Mr Shamsher attempted to walk away and call the police.

However, he was pursued by Sylvester with others still trying to hold him back.

The court was told a 999 call was made to police during which Sylvester could be heard shouting “You F****** P*** ****”.

When a police officer arrived and tried to arrest Sylvester he resisted being put in the back of a police van. Sylvester was taken to the ground with a baton strike at the back of the knee. He then abused the police officer.

In his police interview Sylvester said he had been drunk and could not recall what had happened. He was shown CCTV footage and the 999 call was played to him.

The court was told he was remorseful for his actions.

Sylvester told police he knew who Mr Shamsher was, but did not know him personally and wanted to apologise.

Sylvester, representing himself, told magistrates he was wrong to do what he did.

He was given a 12-month community order with 150 hours’ unpaid work.

Sylvester was also told he must pay £400 in fines and charges, including £100 compensation to Mr Shamsher.