A 54-YEAR-OLD man who twice went into a corner shop and helped himself to beer from the fridge made racial threats towards the owner when he was challenged.

Blackburn magistrates heard that when police arrested Chris Costello he lashed out and tried to kick an officer.

Costello, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assaulting a police officer, three charges of shoplifting and racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

He was jailed for six weeks and ordered to pay £50 compensation to shopkeeper Abdul Dhafoor and £50 to the police officer.

He was also banned from entering the Can and Bottle in Colne for 12 months.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Mr Dhafoor said Costello had come into the shop shouting and acting as if he owned the place.

He was being racially abusive and said if the police were contacted he would smash the shop up.

“Mr Dhafoor suffers from hypertension and was worried what would happen if he had to defend himself,” said Mrs Yates.

“While the police were in the shop talking to the owner the defendant walked past and he was identified.

"He became extremely abusive and aggressive when arrested.”

Mrs Yates said property which had been stolen from the One Stop Shop was discovered when Costello was arrested.

Nick Dearing, defending, said his client was locked into a revolving door of custodial sentences followed by homelessness.

“The last two prison sentences were committed deliberately so he could be sent into custody,” said Mr Dearing.

“He accepts that when he is in drink he can be abusive and he also accepts that a custodial sentence will be imposed today.”