A MAN lashed out at staff at an Indian restaurant in Worcester after a night out drinking with friends, a court heard.

Craig Taylor, aged 31, and a group of friends started to argue with staff at the restaurant after being asked to leave.

Taylor, a father-of-three, was originally charged with racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

But Mark Soper, prosecuting at Worcester Magistrates Court, said while the police had heard racist remarks they could not be sure whether they had come from the defendant.

"Officers at the scene warned him about his behaviour, but he did not take that warning," he said.

"He tried to get past the men at the door. He struck out at one of the group. The blow connected but the man did not make any complaint," he said.

Martha Recordon, defending, said Taylor, of Broadfield Gardens, Warndon Villages, had had five pints and admitted being "loud and boisterous" in the restaurant.

"As they were leaving, he says he was pushed by one of the staff. He accepts that he should have walked away. But he was annoyed that he had been pushed when he was leaving," she said.

"He bitterly regrets his behaviour and accepts that it was alcohol induced, but that that is no excuse," she added.

Taylor was fined £175 and was ordered to pay £55 court costs. He admitted threatening behaviour.