A DRUNK who fell off the wagon and racially abused an Ely shop worker, and then ignored a notice banning him from the city centre, has been given an 18-week suspended jail sentence. Robert Seymour was also banned from the Spar shop in the High Street fo

A DRUNK who "fell off the wagon" and racially abused an Ely shop worker, and then ignored a notice banning him from the city centre, has been given an 18-week suspended jail sentence.

Robert Seymour was also banned from the Spar shop in the High Street for the next 12 months, ordered to pay �100 compensation to his victim, and was given a 12-month supervision order.

"This is a last chance to turn your life around," Seymour was told by presiding magistrate Rev Michael Matthews at Ely courthouse.

Drunken Seymour had became aggressive when Parbat Modhwadia refused to sell him alcohol, and said he was banned from the premises, said Laura Mardell, prosecuting.

When asked to leave, Seymour told Mr Modhwadia: "If you call the police I will pour petrol all over you and set you on fire." He made racial remarks, and said "When you come out I am going to knock you over."

Six days later Seymour was found shouting and swearing in Market Street, Ely, and was arrested and issued with a notice to leave the area for 48 hours. Later the same day he was seen arguing with a woman in the street.

Seymour, 37, of Merlin Drive, Ely, had previously admitted causing racially aggravated fear of violence on June 10; and using threatening words or behaviour and failing to comply with the notice issued by a police officer on June 16.

Mitigating, Jacqui Baldwin said Seymour had little recollection of the shop incident, because he was drunk, and he offered apologies to the victim.

Neither did he remember the police officer telling him to leave Market Street, she added.

"He has been involved in drink and drugs for 20 years," she added. "His rehabilitation is not going to be instant.

"But at times of stress he reverts back to something that gives him solace and comfort, and that was drink. He fell off the wagon and acted abominably.