A 35-YEAR-OLD man has been sentenced to 14 weeks in jail for racially abusing shop staff in Cirencester.

David Collins, of Meadow Road, Cirencester, entered a shop in Mount Street where he attempted to buy alcohol on Tuesday morning. 

Staff refused to sell Collins alcohol as he already appeared to be very drunk.

He then became extremely abusive towards staff and repeatedly used racially abusive language.

Police were called and found Collins near the shop where he was arrested.

Collins was charged and appeared at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court on the following day, where he was sentenced to 14 weeks in jail.

Sgt Garrett Gloyn, of Cirencester police, welcomed the sentence handed down to Collins and praised the shop staff for their conduct during the ordeal.

He said: “Clearly the court have been as shocked as we were by Mr Collins' awful behaviour.

“No doubt they have taken his history into account when deciding to imprison him.

“I am pleased with the result as I believe a custodial sentence such as this sends the appropriate message to the type of people who, whether drunk or sober, think it is okay to behave in this way.

“I would also take this opportunity to commend the staff in the store for refusing to sell him more alcohol, fulfilling their obligations under the Licensing Act in doing so. Well done.”