A DRUNKEN man who took part in "sickening," racial attacks just days after the New York atrocities could end up behind bars.

Burnley Magistrates heard Paul Andrew Greenwood, 24, was one of three hooded men who targeted the property of three Asian families in Barnoldswick, when a house was daubed with swastikas, a car covered in pink paint and graffiti sprayed on windows.

He was arrested after a trail of paint led police to a house in the town.

Greenwood, who was initially suspended from work because of the public outcry in the Barnoldswick after the offences, wept as he was committed on bail to Burnley Crown Court for sentence.

Bench chairman Mrs Anne Cheetham told him the court was aware of the sensitivity of the offences and she was sure he had been told from "every quarter," what irresponsible behaviour he had got himself into.

"I can't imagine what you and your friends were thinking about. We have no alternative but to transfer the case.

"It is the only way it should be handled and be seen to be handled."

Greenwood, of South Avenue, Barnoldswick, had admitted three counts of racially aggravated criminal damage on 16 September.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, said the offences were sickening and came just a few days after the terrorism in America.

One victim Javed Shahzada had lived peacefully in Barnoldswick for 21 years, had never had any trouble in the local community and never looked for any.

He looked out of his home in the early hours to see his car covered in pink emulsion.

Another resident, Nazia Shazadee was awoken by police just after midnight and saw racist graffiti and abuse sprayed on her front windows.

Mr Ahmed Imtiaz found his home daubed with swastikas and white paint at 2am. All three victims believed what happened must have had something to do with the terrorist attacks in America.

Police followed a trial of paint to a house and there they discovered a tin of paint, still wet, and literature entitled Combat 18 which had been downloaded from a computer.

Miss Statham said when the defendant was arrested and interviewed he said he had been out and thought his drink had been spiked with some kind of acid tablets.

He claimed he could remember nothing from having his tea to being arrested, but must have been repsonsible.

Greenwood said the literature was nothing to do with him

The prosecutor said she found it difficult to believe anybody who had had their drink spiked would be capable of causing such damage .

She added she did not think the area was heavily populated with Asian families and the intended people were targeted. The defendant had previous convictions for violence.

David Lawson, defending, said in the cold light of day, Greenwood bitterly regretted and was deeply ashamed of his actions. He was horrified at what he had done.

The offences were committed against a "politically sensitive," background at the moment, also weeks after the disturbances in Burnley, but the defendant had not been expressing views.

Greenwood had drunk up to 12 pints of beer and believed his drink had been spiked with drugs. Since the offences, he had not touched another drop and had been to see his doctor about his alcohol consumption. Mr David Lawson, defending, said Greenwood claimed he had been drunk, picked up a tin of paint and threw it over the car but he wouldn't have been able to write anything.

The solicitor added some of the defendant's Asian friends had backed away from him after what he had done.

But when he was suspended from work because of public reaction in Barnoldswick, an Asian colleague stood up on his behalf.

The friend did not condone Greenwood's actions, but said he did not think he was a racist.