A former investment banker became violent and hurled foul racist abuse as trouble erupted at a Gravesend pub, a court heard.

Shaun Fennings swore at landlord Ismail Sucu at The Kings Head and said “others like him should go back to their own country”.

His brother Lee threw coins and also racially abused Mr Sucu as three women celebrating a 21st birthday were caught up in the fracas.

Shaun Fennings, now running a coffee business said to be financially backed by ex-Premiership footballers, was spared jail after admitting racially aggravated harassment with intent and two offences of common assault.

Lee Fennings admitted racially aggravated harassment with intent, common assault on Mr Sucu and two offences of criminal damage.

Shaun Fennings, of Hall Road, Northfleet, and his brother, of Parrock Street, Gravesend, were each sentenced to 14 months imprisonment suspended for two years with a four-month curfew between 8pm and 5am.

Shaun Fennings, 49, will also have to do 180 hours of unpaid work.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the trouble started at the King Street pub on June 24, 2014.

Mr Sucu asked the brothers to leave but there was a scuffle and Lee Fennings punched him.

Shaun Fennings, co-founder of the Vintage Coffee Truck Company, became involved as female staff tried to restrain him.

One of the women celebrating the birthday, Charlie Sutton, was hit by a shoe thrown by him and he punched Natasha Parr.

His brother cut his hand when he punched a window and then wiped the blood on Ms Sutton’s top.

John Fitzgerald, defending, said father-of-two Shaun Fennings had suffered a sixth redundancy which caused huge financial difficulties and then bankruptcy in 2011. He was drinking heavily and his wife left him.

“You both could and should have just left the scene as soon as there were any signs of falling out” Judge David Griffith-Jones QC

But he had completely turned his life around and had not had a drink since he collapsed at a New Year’s Eve party last year.

“He has channelled his addiction to alcohol into setting up a new business,” said Mr Fitzgerald.

“He has secured sponsorship from ex-Premiership footballers to set up a coffee business. It is due to launch in August and has much promise.

“He now sees what a miserable existence he was living.”

Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said although prison was demanded, the brothers’ efforts to address their problems and their guilty pleas and remorse enabled him to pass suspended sentences.

He told Shaun Fennings: “There is a lot that is commendable in your background, which makes it all the more extraordinary that you behaved the way you did.”

The judge praised the three women who tried to help Mr Sucu for their “extraordinary fortitude”.

Shaun Fennings was ordered to pay compensation of £100 to Mr Sucu and £200 to each of the assault victims within three months.

Lee Fennings, 44, was ordered to pay £200 to Mr Sucu, £20 for a damaged window and £20 for the bloodstained clothing within three months.

Judge Griffith-Jones did not accept a suggestion Shaun Fennings initially acted as peacemaker between his brother and Mr Sucu. He described their language as “abhorrent and gratuitous” and said their appearance in court was depressing.

“It’s quite evident that all of this was wholly unnecessary,” he added. “You both could and should have just left the scene as soon as there were any signs of falling out.”