A CARLISLE chip shop worker was racially abused by a drunk man who was told he could not have free food.

Alan James Steel, 32, said he was so drunk he now had no recollection of what he said to the worker at the Little Chippy in Botchergate on November 17, the city’s Rickergate Magistrates’ Court heard.

Despite this, he accepted that he was guilty of racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

Peter Kelly, prosecuting, said the chip shop worker was serving food at around 7.30pm when the defendant walked in, and asked for free chips.

The worker politely refused, saying that he could not give away food without permissions from his boss, who was not at work.

Steel’s response was a tirade of abuse, which began with the defendant demanding to know why a Bulgarian man was working in “his country”. The defendant told the worker to “get back to his own country,” said Mr Kelly. The incident ended when a woman came into the shop and told Steel to leave.

In an impact statement, the victim said he had lived in Carlisle for six years.

He wrote: “This is my home.

“I pay my rent and my bills and I work for my money. I was offended and upset when this male used my place of birth to abuse me.”

Steel was arrested near the shop.

When questioned by police, he said he had regularly bought food from the Little Chippy but could not recall what he said that night. He did not have any money and so asked for free chips.

“He said he is not a racist person,” said Mr Kelly.

“He also said that he was pretty drunk and genuinely could not remember what he said.” On the day in question, he had drunk four cans of lager before leaving the house and then another eight pints of lager.

Despite having had a caution recorded against him in 2012 for public disorder, the defendant had never before appeared in court, said Mr Kelly.

After hearing the case, magistrates fined Steel, from Beverley Rise, Harraby, £230, with a £30 victim surcharge, and £85 costs.