A HAMPSHIRE man has been fined for assaulting and racially abusing his neighbour.

The court heard that 54-year-old Jeffery Bayley, of Milland Road in Highcliffe, Winchester, had been visited by the police by mistake and blamed his neighbour.

The issue appeared to have been resolved when the neighbour apologised.

However Bayley and a friend started drinking on Christmas Day and Bayley lost his temper.

He attacked his neighbour, grabbing him by the throat and called him a “black bastard”.

Bayley, who said he was ashamed of his behaviour, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault.

Judge Patrick Hooton fined him £250 and ordered him to pay £250 compensation to his victim, who was said to have been “frightened and humiliated”.

The judge said: “I’m glad to hear you are ashamed, because it was a shameful thing to do.”