A MAN used racist language towards an employee at Newtown Job Centre, magistrates heard.

Wesley Hardman, 34, of no fixed abode, admitted the offence in court on Tuesday.

Stephen Davies, prosecuting, said that Kenroy McKenzie, who works at the job centre, was familiar with the defendant as he signed to say that he was looking for work, although another colleague usually sees to him.

Mr Davies said Hardman became “really aggressive” towards Mr McKenzie when he told him he was not following procedure. Hardman swore at him, telling him to go away and called him a term which was intended to mean ‘the n word’.

Mr McKenzie said he took what he said to be racist and that he believed it was directed at him as a black man, magistrates heard.

Mr McKenzie carried on working as he said he did not want the incident to affect him, but he said he knew that he needed to speak about it.

Hardman said that he accepted that he “did use those words”, Mr Davies said.

Owain Jones, defending, said: “He doesn’t have any racist views but obviously his frustration got the better of him. He addresses and accepts the comments are unacceptable."

Hardman was given a 12-month community order, with 10 rehabilitation requirement days for eradicating racism. He must do 100 hours of unpaid work and he was told to pay court costs of £85 and an £85 victim surcharge.