A BENEFITS claimant who became enraged and racially abused a security guard when his handouts were going to be stopped was told by magistrates he could have faced jail for his outburst.

Kashem Uddin, 22, lost control when he was told by a Department for Work and Pensions admin officer that his job seekers’ allowance could be suspended, the Burnley court was told.

Defence solicitor David Lawson said his client had been upset at the suggestion because he was the sole carer for his sick mother and had been under increasing strain.

Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said the interviewing officer told Uddin he could not provide evidence of him trying to obtain employment.

Uddin started shouting abuse at the admin officer.

Egged on by a friend, who had accompanied him to the interview at the Victoria Street benefits office, he began ripping up the forms he was supposed to fill in and continued abusing the civil servant.

He was so loud and aggressive, said Mr Robinson, that a security guard app-roached him and asked him to calm down.

Uddin told the admin officer he was going to “see her after work” and threatened to “break her legs”.

The guard eventually made Uddin leave the offices but, as he was being escorted from the building, Uddin racially abused him.

Later the security guard told police he had been “upset and distressed” at Uddin’s behaviour, added Mr Robinson.

Mr Lawson said his client was the sole carer for his sick mother, as his elder brothers had all moved out and had families of their own.

Uddin had been involved in taking his mother to regular GP and hospital appointments and had been under strain at the time of the offences.

Uddin was still under the supervision of the same admin officer and had since apologised to her, added Mr Lawson.

“He is extremely apologetic and cannot believe that he behaved in this manner,” he said.

Uddin, of Gordon Street, Duke Bar, Burnley, admitted racially-aggravated threatening behaviour and a further public order offence.

Magistrates warned Uddin he could have faced jail for abusing public servants, in the course of their duties.

But, instead, he was sentenced to 30 hours at an attendance centre with £50 costs.

He must also pay £50 compensation each to the guard and admin officer.