Kendal man fined for spitting in food during a racist attack

Jeffrey Hayton, of Sparrowmire Lane, pleaded guilty to using racially-abusive behaviour and words at Kendal's Market Place on June 1 and causing harassment on June 15.

South Lakeland Magistrates’ Court heard Mohammed Patel and his son were working on their stall, which sold Indian cuisine, when Hayton came over and started making rude gestures towards the men with his hands.

Prosecuting Susie Kavanagh said at the hearing on Tuesday: "He spat on their food and unplugged the electrical power to the stall."

Mrs Kavanagh then told the court the 45-year-old came to the front of the stall and shouted 'come on then' in an 'intimidating manner'.

He said 'your food is crap' before running off - shouting 'you weren't born here, I was born here, where were you born?’.

Two weeks later the hearing was told Hayton returned to Kendal's market square, on June 15, and made sexual gestures to members of the public and used abusive words.

When interviewed by police, Mrs Kavanagh said he admitted being at the stall but claimed he 'sneezed' and told the owners he did not like their food as it was 'too spicy' before inquiring about where they were from.

In mitigation, Jackie Partington said Hayton suffered from bi-polar disorder and had 'alcohol problems' which 'affects the way he behaves'.

Magistrates’ chairman Stephen Baker ordered Hayton, who has been remanded in custody on charges linked with Crown Court proceedings, to pay a £100 fine.

"You continue to act very irresponsibly in this town - this is your 20th offence for public disorder," said Mr Baker.

"You are currently in prison. At the moment I would consider a community order that would be the appropriate sentence but as you are in prison you would not be able to comply with this.

"Compensation would be the right thing for the victims but I don't want to raise their expectations of recovering the money as you are in prison you have no income."