AN ABUSIVE Hereford man will be sentenced later this month after a racially aggravated incident in a county town.

Julian Thomas appeared before magistrates in Hereford in January accused of one count of causing racially or religiously aggravated harassment, alarm, or distress, and one count of assault by beating.

He entered a guilty plea to the first charge, while the assault charge was dismissed as no evidence was offered.

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The court heard from prosecutor Paul John that the 51-year-old had, with intent to cause a man in Leominster harassment, alarm, or distress, used racially aggravated threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour on October 25.

The case was adjourned for a pre-sentencing report to be carried out by the probation service, and Thomas, who is of Ryeland Street in Hereford, was released on conditional bail

He will appear before magistrates at Hereford's Bath Street Justice Centre for sentencing on February 14.

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