A MAN from Somerset has been given a community order after telling another man he was going to "send him back to Ethiopia", a court heard.

Gavin Hoar, 44, from Chard in Somerset had attended the Ambleside Tavern with another male on January 10 where he committed a racially aggravated assault on Jakeem Addman, South Cumbria Magistrates' Court was told.

The High Street resident pleaded guilty to the charge and was given a 12 week curfew which required him to be at his registered address between 7pm and 7am.

Prosecution lawyer Lee Dacre said: "The defendant was drinking with another male. The other male was told to leave the bar but the defendant went to buy him another drink.

"He was arguing and squaring up to the security guard in question.

"He said 'you are not from around here and pushed him away."

The prosecution went on to say the defendant said "he was going to send him back to Ethiopia" referring to the complainant.

Defence Lawyer Karen Templeton said that Hoar does not see himself as racist and that this was very out of character for him, which was most likely triggered by his alcohol consumption.

"He is devastated about what happened and said that this was not like him," Ms Templeton said.

"He has struggled to come to terms with the assault and that it is a racial issue."

Alongside his community order, Doar had to pay a victim surcharge of £90, court costs of £85, and compensation of £50, which totals £225.