A DRUMCHAPEL man challenged staff at a fish and chip shop to a fight before mimicking their Punjabi accents, a court has heard.

Graham McLean challenged workers to fight while he was drunk, and he will now have to tackle his alcohol use as part of his punishment for the crime.

The 36-year-old acted aggressively after entering the Lomond Fish Bar on Tullichewan Road in Balloch around 8pm on August 24, 2021, telling the owner, “You’re looking at me.”

When asked to leave the shop, he told the owner to “come outside” with his arms held wide, as though he was challenging him to a fight.

Dumbarton Sheriff Court heard that McLean, of Merryton Avenue, mimicked the owner and two other members of staff during the incident.

He then mimicked the Punjabi accents of the owners and two others.

McLean later pleaded guilty to acting in an aggressive manner, shouting, repeatedly challenging the owner to fight, and mimicking his accent.

The seriousness of the offence was aggravated because it involved racial prejudice.

At Dumbarton Sheriff Court on November 4, McLean’s defence solicitor insisted his client wasn’t racist.

He said: “The locus was a place he had entered on a number of occasions with his family. He was worse for wear with drink.

“He cannot offer any rational explanation.

“This is not the way he normally behaves, particularly the racist element.

“His conduct was racist but he would argue he doesn’t behave in that way normally.”

The dad of four was suitable for an alternative to custody, insisted the solicitor.

Sheriff Maxwell Hendry noted McLean described his behaviour to social workers with words such as “mortified”, “regret” and “remorse”.

“Those are entirely appropriate to the way you behaved,” he said.

“You seem to be a person who should not be drinking. I did consider sending you to prison.

“Only with some hesitation will I not do that today.”

He imposed a community payback order with supervision for 12 months by social workers.

He must take alcohol or drug treatment or counselling as directed.

McLean must also do 120 hours of unpaid work in the community in that time.

Sheriff Hendry added: “The problem is the way you behave. You seem unable to stop drinking or control yourself when drunk.

“If you do not comply with the order, you will end up in prison.”