ONE of a gang of youths who racially abused and tormented a shop boss was given 160 hours community service.

Burnley Magistrates heard how Lee Walmsley, 19, had been drinking when he and other youths picked on the assistant manager of Kwiksave, Burnley Road, Padiham.

Their victim, Mohammed Ilyas, was left deeply offended, shocked and intimidated by his ordeal which took place in front of a colleague's nine-year-old son.

Walmsley, of Walter Street, Huncoat, admitted racially aggravating threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour. The defendant, who was in breach of a conditional discharge, was given 160 hours community service.

Elizabeth Reed, prosecuting, said Mr Ilyas was just outside the main entrance of the store with a supervisor when four young men approached.

They looked at him, he felt intimidated and uneasy and went into the shop. Mr Ilyas decided to ask the gang to leave because of a previous incident at the shop and was racially abused.

One of the youths squared up to the manager in an aggressive stance, said he was going to batter Mr Ilyas and a second youth threatened to knock the manager out and urged him to hit him.

Mrs Reed said the complainant was told: "Bin Laden's dead and you will be" and was abused by all four who said they would be back for him.

The prosecutor said when Walmsley was interviewed he said he could not remember saying anything to Mr Ilyas and couldn't understand why he was being barred from the shop.

Bridget Hibbert, defending, said Walmsley had been drinking and was encouraged by others.

No violence was used and the incident was not premeditated as the defendant had gone into Kwiksave to get some beer.

Mrs Hibbert said Walmsley's previous convictions were for similar matters but since the offence he had realised his behaviour was leading him before the courts. He knew he was looking at custody.