AN ALCOHOL-fuelled teenager who racially abused worshippers at a Poole mosque has been jailed for two years.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how Sam Towers had downed three litres of cider, eight bottles of beer and smoked cannabis before turning up at the place of worship on Ashley Road, Parkstone, on the evening of June 3 this year.

Prosecutor Desmond Duffy said: “There had been prayers earlier and two worshippers were talking to each other when they heard loud bangs at the door of the building.

“They went to investigate and found Mr Towers and others. Mr Towers became aggressive and started shouting abuse.

“When he was asked to stop being racist he continued shouting and said ‘You are going to be dead’ or words to that effect.”

Mr Duffy told the court how Towers had picked up a chair and swung it towards one of the men. After a struggle the chair broke and Towers hurled a wooden slat at an “incredibly scared” worshipper.

Mr Duffy added: “Fortunately it missed and the other members of his group managed to usher Mr Towers away while he continued to shout abuse.”

Police were called and officers found Towers in a nearby flat a short time later.

Towers, of Ashley Road, admitted racially aggravated threatening behaviour and also pleaded guilty to two counts of theft and one dwelling house burglary.

Defending, Brian Sharman said his client had been “thoroughly chastened by a month in custody” and wanted to do something positive with his life.

While in prison he had obtained qualifications and was hoping to complete a mechanics course on his release.

Mr Sharman added: “The irony is that Mr Towers is of mixed race; his mother is Thai and his father is English.”

Judge John Harrow told Towers his behaviour had been “appalling”, adding: “There is no room in this country for racial abuse and intolerance. It is no excuse to plead your youth or that you were grossly intoxicated.”