A MAN who threw a packet of ham at staff working in an Indian takeaway in what police described as a ‘religiously aggravated’ incident walked free from court with a suspended prison sentence.

On March 20 earlier this year, 46-year-old Darren Gunn went into Spice Express in Purton at about 8pm.

He began racially harassing staff over the food they served and their ethnicity.

He then threw a packet of ham at a member of staff which police say did not come into contact with the victim.

Gunn, who is a resident of the High Street, was repeatedly asked to leave but continued to verbally abuse staff.

In addition to the eight week suspended prison sentence, Gunn was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115, costs of £85 and compensation of £100 as well as completing a six-month alcohol dependency course.

PCSO Andrea Hector said: “We will not tolerate verbal abuse of any kind in our communities and will seek to arrest and charge anyone acting in a racially or religiously aggravated manner so they can be brought before the courts.

“Behaviour of this nature can cause fear, upset and distress.

“We’d like to reassure the local community that we will take action following any reports of hate crimes – do not suffer in silence. Call police on 101, or report it via the True Vision website report-it.org.uk”.