A racist youth had chili powder thrown in his eyes after threatening the owner of a Moray takeaway restaurant.
The 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, drove frightened Mirza Taher to defend himself following a night of vile abuse.
The Keith youngster had been drinking with friends on Saturday, April 9, when he visited Mid Street’s Sunset Tandoori restaurant at 11.25pm.
Elgin Sheriff Court yesterday heard that he “became argumentative” with Mr Taher and “made references regarding his ethnicity”.
A chef called the police to the eatery, but the youths had left by the time officers arrived.
However, the group of teenagers later returned to further torment Mr Taher.
Fiscal Alex Swain said: “It was at 1.50am on the Sunday when the accused came back, and Mr Taher recognised him following the earlier abuse.
“The accused once again made racial remarks, and then tried to jump onto the shop counter.
“Mr Taher threw chili powder at him and managed to get him to leave.”
Police later charged the 17-year-old, who claimed to have little recollection of the incident.
His lawyer, Matthew O’Neill, said: “Even though he was only 16 at the time, my client had consumed a significant amount of alcohol.
“He recalls having chili powder thrown in his eyes, and it causing him significant pain.
“He was shocked when he learned how he behaved.”
The accused admitted to acting in a racially aggravated manner intended to cause alarm and distress, and attempting to jump on the venue’s counter.
Sheriff Chris Dickson deferred sentencing for six months, and warned the teenager to be of good behaviour during that time.
He added: “The language that you used was completely unacceptable, nobody should have to face that kind of abuse.”