A 27-year-old man has been warned to expect a jail sentence for a vicious racist attack on Maidstone’s deputy Imam Arshed Mahmood.

Richard Wallace admitted wounding Mr Mahmood with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm on August 21.

Danny Moore, prosecuting, told Maidstone Crown Court: "What I wish to make plain so far as the Crown is concerned is that our case in this matter is that the offence was by definition racially aggravated."

Mr Moore said Wallace showed hostility to Mr Mahmood based on the victim’s membership to a religious group.

Wallace, he said, told Mr Mahmood as he attacked him: "**** off you Muslim ****."

Molly Pinkus, defending, said it was appreciated that Wallace had admitted an extremely serious offence and a report to be prepared on him would only go to the length of a prison sentence.

"He is 27 without a blemish on his record," she said. "He was in full-time employment as a ticket inspector on the London Transport system. He has responsibility towards a four-year-old son.

"He has gained and earned the respect of many colleagues and friends, some of whom we would wish to have references from for the sentencing hearing."

Describing the attack as "a most unfortunate offence", Miss Pinkus added: "It is not disputed that threats were used. The incident occurred because a large amount of alcohol had been consumed."

Wallace, of Verney Road, Rotherhithe, South East London, was granted conditional bail until sentencing on December 12.

Judge David Caddick told him: "I make it clear that all options are open. It may well be a custodial sentence is to be the sentence in your case because of the seriousness of it.

"I don’t want you to run away with any idea that because there should be a report, there won’t be a custodial sentence."