A man has been remanded in custody after admitting carrying out a racially-aggravated assault.

John-Paul Allen also pleaded guilty to stealing the victim's mobile phone in the incident in Devizes last year.

Allen, 36, admitted racially aggravated assault causing actual bodily harm and theft when he appeared at Swindon Crown Court on Monday.

And a second man, Scott Shuttleworth, 26, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and theft.

The pair had been due to stand trial on the racially aggravated assault charge but they entered pleas which prosecutors said were acceptable before a jury could be sworn in.

They admitted assaulting Jony Samad and stealing his Nokia mobile phone during the alleged incident on Saturday, November 9.

And Allen accepted making comments based on the victim's membership, or perceived membership, of a racial group.

Judge Douglas Field adjourned the case until Thursday, May 29, for pre-sentence reports.

He remanded Allen, of no fixed abode, in custody and released Shuttleworth, of Hillier Road, Devizes, on conditional bail.

He must not contact the victim or go to Sidmouth Street, Devizes, and comply with the Probabation Service.