A man who was trying to steal beer from a Darwen store shouted racist abuse at the shopkeeper who stopped him.

Blackburn Magistrates' Court heard Craig Lloyd was ushered from the shop by a female customer who was concerned because her child was upset by his behaviour.

When police arrived and arrested Lloyd he then tried to bite an officer.

Lloyd, 32, of Pendle Street, Accrington, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was committed in custody to Preston Crown Court to be sentenced on December 18.

The court was told Lloyd had a previous conviction for racially aggravated public order and had been recalled to prison until July 2024.

Julia Draper, prosecuting, said Lloyd entered the One Stop Shop in Church Street and the owner immediately recognised him as someone he had barred previously.

“The defendant was picking up a pack of beers and when the owner prevented him from doing that there was a struggle,” said Miss Draper.

“He shouted racist abuse at the shopkeeper and made various threats towards him.

"The female escorted him out of the shop but he continued to shout racist remarks and threats.”

Jonathan Taylor, mitigating, said his client’s problem was alcohol.

“He believed it would be alright to have one drink but he can’t have just one drink and he knows that,” said Mr Taylor.

“He knows he let himself down badly.”