A HYTHE man who shouted at a couple to "go home" in a racially-aggravated abuse incident has appeared in court.

David William Willsher committed the public order offence on October 1 in Christchurch shortly after the couple pulled up outside their address in a vehicle.

When the 32-year-old appeared at Poole Magistrates' Court on November 30, he was also sentenced for four counts of assaulting a woman by beating her between December 2019 and March of this year and an offence of damaging a picture frame.

Willsher, of Laburnum Crescent, Hythe, pleaded guilty to all of the crimes at an earlier hearing.

Prosecutor Nicola Rees read an impact statement from the victim of the public order offence which said she had "noticed a change in myself" since the incident.

Mitigating Khalid Missouri said Willsher was "disgusted" with his behaviour, adding that "he is not a racist".

Mr Missouri said the defendant's problems all "stem from alcohol".

Magistrates said the seriousness of the offences could warrant a custodial sentence but they decided to hand Willsher a 30-month community order, with a requirement to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The defendant was also required to pay £50 compensation to the couple, a £90 surcharge and £250 costs.