A MAN who shouted racist abuse on two occasions when arrested is not a racist, his solicitor claimed.

Daniel King told Blackburn magistrates that when sober John Blair McKay was deeply ashamed of his outbursts.

McKay, 59, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on the Boulevard and using racially aggravated threatening behaviour outside St Anne's Church, Grace Street.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and the magistrates made no order for costs after hearing he already had a substantial debt.

John Wood, prosecuting, said police were called to St Anne's where McKay, who was the worse for drink, was banging on the door. He continued shouting when approached by the police and his behaviour attracted a crowd, including a number of Asians. As he was arrested he was shouting racist abuse.

Mr King said McKay's had managed to get a grip on his drinking. "Unfortunately, over recent months he has lost that grip and finds himself in an alcoholic haze," said Mr King.

"Every now and then he drinks a little more and some very nasty features of his personality tend to emerge. He was once seriously beaten by some men who just happened to be of Asian origin and that has clouded his view."