A CHIPPENHAM man who pleaded guilty to racially abusing two Asian CCTV operators and assaulting a police officer has been jailed for a total of 18 weeks.

North Wiltshire Magistrates heard how Neil Pengelley, of Westerleigh Close, called the men 'P----' after they asked him to move away from their office at around 12.30am on February 13.

Both operators were working in the CCTV building, Security Watch, in Market Place, when they saw Pengelley drunk on a bench behind the building.

Prosecutor Keith Belinger said: “They then called the police, who found him intoxicated and asked him to leave.

“As he moved away he began to shout ‘f---- off back to your own country.’A struggle ensued, with the police appearing to damage his headphones.

“He continues to shout racially abusive comments to the two CCTV operators nearby.”

On being taken back to Melksham Police Station the 42-year-old then kicked one of the officers waiting behind him as he was standing at the front desk, in retaliation for damaging his headphones.

Magistrates chairman DJ Cooper sentenced Pengelley on Thursday (Mar 3) to 18 weeks in prison, eight weeks for the racial abuse, eight for the assault and two more for breach of a suspended sentence.

Pengelley had only recently been placed under a supervising restraining order due to other offences relating to alcohol abuse.

Jeary Michael, defending, said: “A probation officer supervising him says he is making progress but has recently relapsed back into alcohol abuse.

“His mother and father have stepped in again and he resides with them.

“He acknowledges that saying P--- is racist and abusive and that police were right to arrest him and that kicking the officer was wrong.

“When not under the influence of alcohol there is no trouble, but under the influence there is.”

Pengelley also plead guilty to the theft of two cans of Tennent's lager worth £6.50 from Martin McColls in Redland, Chippenham.