A man has been fined for racially aggravated harassment.

Richard Lewry, of Gosport Road, Fareham, pleaded guilty to the offence at Sutton Coldfield on July 4, 2024.

He used threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour to Qumer Khaliq, with the intent to cause harassment, alarm, or distress.

The offence was racially aggravated, which led to an increased penalty.

Lewry was fined £851 and ordered to pay £50 in compensation.

He was also ordered to pay £85 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, and a £340 surcharge.

A collection order was made, with instructions for him to make payments as ordered, and to pay in full by April 18, 2025.

The court said the fine was uplifted to 175 per cent because of the racial aggravation involved.

This means that the offence was considered more serious because it was motivated by racism.

The Crime and Disorder Act 1998 states that any offence that is racially or religiously aggravated should be treated as more serious, and this is reflected in the penalties imposed by the court.

Lewry's guilty plea was taken into account when determining his sentence.