A YOUNG man who shouted racial abuse at a Kent police officer as he was being led to a cell has been given a community punishment.

Aidan Patrick Kehoe, 19, yelled a death threat and used a racist term towards the officer who was taking him into custody at Maidstone Police Station.

Kehoe, of Holy Trinity Foyer, Church Street, Maidstone, pleaded guilty at the town’s magistrates’ court to using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour, which were racially aggravated.

It began when police were called to reports of a fight at the junction of Wheeler Street and Union Street, Maidstone, at about 8.30pm, on February 13, last year.

A large group, said to be involved, had dispersed when police arrived but Kehoe was arrested and began to shout as handcuffs were put on him. Kehoe kicked out and struck the officer arresting him in the shin.

As the officer escorted him towards a cell, Kehoe shouted “at the top of his voice”, said prosecuting counsel Mary Jacobson.

He swore, calling the officer a “Paki” and said: “You’re dead when you’re out on the streets.”

The officer later said: “These comments were aimed at me. They caused me to feel very insulted and upset. The remarks are very degrading.”

Paul Greene, defending, said the incident had arisen because his client believed police had been “a bit heavy-handed”.

Mr Greene added: “Any threats said were certainly not meant and Mr Kehoe does have remorse for what happened that night.”

The magistrates ordered Kehoe to complete 80 hours of unpaid work as part of a 12-month community order.