Nadine Osman

A man accused takeaway staff of being Al-Qa’ida terrorists has pleaded guilty to two charges of using racially-aggravated threatening behaviour last month.

Kirklees Magistrates’ Court heard that Marvin Birch walked into a takeaway on Market Street in Milnsbridge, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, on September 19.

Prosecutor Bill Astin said that the 35-year-old demanded a lift but staff replied that they were very busy and there was a taxi rank around the corner.

He told the Huddersfield court: “He became aggressive, shouting and swearing and saying: “You f*****g Al-Qa’ida”.

“He was asked to leave, he called them P****s and a member of staff called police. The defendant was heard calling them Al-Qa’ida terrorists and called a police officer a white b*****d.”

Sonia Kidd, mitigating, said that her client, “understands that his language was inappropriate. He’s mixed-race himself, been subject to racism before and accepts what he did was wrong.”

District Judge Michael Fanning fined Birch, of Brunswick Street in Heckmondwike, a total of £400.

He must also pay £85 court costs and £30 victim surcharge. Slamming his behaviour as “stupid” Judge Fanning told him: “You have an Afro-Caribbean father and you’re not a racist.

“It begs the question why on this occasion you’ve treated people in this way. You spoke extremely offensive, derogatory terms to an Asian member of the community.”