A BARROW man unleashed a torrent of homophobic abuse at a hotel worker before assaulting him, a court heard.

Wayne William Jefferson was said to have become aggressive after arriving at a Premier Inn in Exmouth, Devon, with a friend before pushing a member of staff and using homophobic language towards him.

The 28-year-old pleaded guilty to assault by beating when he appeared at South Cumbria Magistrates’ Court.

Prosecutor Lee Dacre said the offence occurred on March 12.

He told magistrates: “The defendant and a friend arrived at the Premier Inn.

“He checked on his phone and found there was a room available.

“A staff member said the two men were very drunk.

“Another member of staff told the men to keep the noise down.

“He told the defendant there were no rooms available because of his behaviour.

“The defendant has then asked him if he has a wife and kids.”

Mr Dacre said the defendant then hurled a number of homophobic insults at the hotel worker, before pushing him in the chest.

He said police were called through a panic alarm in the hotel and the defendant, having left, was eventually located by officers.

The prosecutor argued the offence was a hate crime relating to someone’s sexuality and that the sentenced should be harsher.

The court heard Jefferson had a record of 12 previous convictions and 17 offences.

Richard Prew, defending, said: “He made full admissions in interview.

“They were travelling all day and were under the influence of alcohol.

“He lost his temper.

“He apologises for the language he used and accepts it was inexcusable."

Magistrates sentenced Jefferson, of Vulcan Road, to 140 hours unpaid work, uplifted from 100 hours because it was aggravated by hostility to presumed sexual orientation.

Mr Sim said: “You were drunk and you were verbally abusive. You were also in a public place and you were making homophobic statements.”