A DRUNKEN caravan dweller was arrested after firing a tirade of racial abuse at a convenience store owner.

The row developed between William Robert Roache and the Asian shopkeeper after an argument over the price of cans of lager.

Durham Crown Court heard that Roache, 48, made racist remarks and told the store owner to go back to his own country.

Tim Gittins, prosecuting, said Roache threatened he was going to bomb the shop so it could be taken over by white people.

Mr Gittins said police were called and they went to Roache's caravan, on a site near the Milko shop, in Shotton Colliery, east Durham, where he was found drunk.

Alex Burns, for Roache, said he usually got on well with the shopkeeper, who even sold some of his garden produce.

He said the shopkeeper intimated he would be happy to accept an apology and did not want to pursue a prosecution.

Roache admitted a charge of causing a racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence.

The court heard he had made strides to address his drink problem on a previously imposed community rehabilitation order.

Judge Guy Whitburn said Roache's behaviour was appalling and banned him from the shop for a year.

He imposed a new one-year community rehabilitation order to let the rehabilitation work continue.