Although he has mixed-race relatives himself a 21-year-old Haverfordwest man shouted racial abuse at a young woman in the street, Haverfordwest magistrates were told today (Monday).

During an argument outside a shop in Merlin's Bridge on September 20th, Paul Anthony Webber whose addres was given as c/o 23, St Marks Close, Merlins Bridge, shouted at the woman: "You black b..... , why don't you just go home."

When her male companion told Webber not to be racist, two friends who were with him assaulted the young man, said Crown Prosecutor Simon Stephenson when Webber pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence.

Peter Martin, defending, told the court that Webber had an alcohol problem and was ashamed and disgusted by his behaviour as he had mixed-race nephews and nieces. A period in custody had led to him giving up drink and he was keen to take advantage of the opportunity a community order would offer him to stay off alcohol.

Imposing a community order for 12 months with supervision and a programme requirement to address his drug and drink problems, the magistrates ordered him to pay £40 court costs.