AN argument over playing pool in a Worcestershire pub led a 31-year-old man to racially abuse another man and hit him on the head with a cue.

Christopher Spires, of Churchill Road, Sedgeberrow, Evesham, was jailed for nine months after the court was told he swore at Gideon George and made references to him being black.

Alex Warren, prosecuting, told Worcester Crown Court Mr George had gone to Ruby Jack’s, Bewdley Street, Evesham, on August 30 last year with friends.

They put money on the pool table for three games but during the first one, Spires started leaning on the table and nudging Mr George as he played.

When the game finished, Mr George started to set up the next one but Spires said it was his turn and made a racist comment. He then grabbed Mr George’s cue, reversed it and swung it with both hands, hitting him with the thicker end just above the left eye.

Mr George took hold of the cue and they both fell to the floor before being separated.

As police led Spires away, he saw Mr George, who needed three stitches to the cut, and shouted “I’m glad your face got smashed in,” and made more racist comments. He then spat towards Mr George, who said in a victim statement he was now wary of going out at night in Evesham.

Nicholas Roberts, defending, said Spires was deeply ashamed of his actions.

He had drunk eight cans of beer and some brandy and whisky on the night of the incident. He said Spires was not a racist and would not have made the comments if he had not been drinking.

“He accepts his comments were deeply offensive,” Mr Roberts said.

The court was told that he had 27 convictions for 87 offences but the majority of these were thefts to finance his 10-year heroin and crack cocaine habit, which he was now taking steps to tackle.

Spires pleaded guilty at South Worcestershire Magistrates Court to the offences in December and was committed for sentence.

He was given six months for assault causing actual bodily harm and three months consecutively for racial harassment.