Court: Race hate abuse over takeaway pizza

Phillip Devlin (52) was arrested after his outburst at Domino’s, in Church Street, Burnley, and was found to have drugs on him, the town’s magistrates were told.

Devlin claimed he was normally a teetotaller, but went out with a friend for a drink and “that turned into another and another and yet another.”

The defendant, of Griffin Close, Burnley, admitted possessing cannabis and using racially aggravated threatening or abusive words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress, on October 31st. Devlin, said to be on incapacity benefits because of mental health issues, was fined £80, with a £150 criminal courts charge, a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs. Miss Aisha Akhtar (prosecuting) said police received a call from a third party saying a man was inside Domino’s and was being abusive to the owner. Officers spoke to Devlin, he gave his name and then changed it and then became verbally abusive. At that point, he was recorded on a police body camera. The defendant had not offended for more than two years.