A JUDGE has given a Southampton man, who yelled racist abuse at a woman smoking a cigarette on her balcony, six months to prove he is tackling his drink problem.

Judge Nicholas Rowland heard Abdirashid Arab had left Anita Eveson in tears with his remarks about white people.

On arrest he told police he had not been taking his medication but had been drinking vodka.

Arab, 42, of Lawn Road, Portswood, admitted using racially aggravated threatening words or behaviour.

The judge deferred sentence for six months indicating Arab would not go to jail if he committed no further offences and tackled his drink problem.