A young man who bellowed racist abuse at takeaway staff in Dundee told a court he considered it banter.
Joel Justice ordered food at Curry Junction in the city’s Perth road before turning on Rifa Nezir and Rehan Khan without warning.
He screamed “go back to your own country” and “you treat your wives like slaves” at the shocked pair on the evening of April 29 this year.
Justice, 25, was so drunk that, despite his tirade, he thought nothing of remaining within the premises to eat his meal.
He even failed to notice that his victims had called the police, with officers finding him casually eating at the counter when they arrived to take statements.
The 25-year-old resumed making racist and abusive comment towards the takeaway staff as he left but later claimed to have “joked” with previous staff in the same manner.
He told police officrs he had been confused by the offence Mr Nezir and Mr Khan had taken.
Solicitor John Boyle admitted that his client held some “misguided views”, but added that a serious alcohol problem had contributed to his actions.
Justice admitted acting in a racially aggravated manner intended to cause alarm and distress by shouting racist remarks at his two victims.
Sheriff Alastair Brown deferred sentence on Justice until July 26 for an alcohol treatment assessment to take place, warning him of the serious nature of his actions.
He said: “It needs to be understood very clearly that this sort of racist abuse has never been something that this court will tolerate.
“I’m aware that there is increased sensitivity now and there is some evidence that there has been an upsurge in racist abuse.
“This kind of behaviour has been roundly rejected by the Scottish Government and is rejected by this court.
“Anyone who indulges in it will be dealt with seriously.”