AN afternoon drinking session ended with Kirk Leech throwing food, insults and finally punches at the owner of a Blackburn town centre takeaway.

Blackburn magistrates heard that Leech and a female friend were asked to leave the Godfather in Blakey Moor after making a nuisance of themselves.

Leech threw chips at owner Abazar Bagheri and began to shout racist abuse before trying to punch him over the counter, damaging the till at the same time.

As Mr Bagheri came out of his shop, his shoe came off and Leech took it and pushed it through a letter box.

Leech, 27, of St Mary's Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to criminal damage and racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

He was made subject to a community rehabilitation order for 12 months and ordered to do 80 hours' community punishment and pay £150 compensation and £111 costs.

Michael Blacklidge, defending, said Leech accepted that his behaviour had been disgraceful.

"He had been drinking since lunchtime, consuming between eight and 10 pints of lager, and admits that he was very drunk," said Mr Blacklidge.

Leech, out of work since Christmas, had collected his first pay packet since taking a new job.