A PIZZA shop worker was subjected to a torrent of racial abuse after he refused to take a £20 note ripped in half.

After a night's drinking, Ian Harrison, 30, of Cobden Street, Darlington, went into the takeaway and asked for Sellotape to fix the note but the worker did not have any.

Miriam Towers, prosecuting, said trouble flared after he entered the Darlington takeaway at 10.30pm on September 29. When police tracked him down, he also became abusive towards them.

Harrison yesterday admitted using racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

In mitigation, Laura Saunders-Jerrom said: "Mr Harrison is quite taken aback and cannot believe what he said.

Harrison is back before the court on January 20.