A RACIST who subjected a charity shop worker to a “torrent” of abuse and threats has been sent to prison.

Alex Austin, of Grand Parade in Brighton, was arrested after he continually harassed a woman who worked in Age UK in London Road.

On November 29 last year at 11.45am, Austin gave the woman a “torrent of racial abuse, loitered around the store and intimidated her by staring through the window”.

The woman took a clear picture of him which police later used to identify him.

The 52-year-old returned two hours later at 1.50pm and continued to racially abuse and threaten the woman.

On January 7 this year, Austin was arrested for being in breach of a court order and also arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated harassment. He was sentenced at Brighton Magistrates’ Court on Friday, January 14.

Austin has been sentenced to 12 weeks in prison and been given a 12-month restraining order prohibiting him from entering the London Road store.

The Argus: Alex AustinAlex Austin

Sergeant Barrett, of Brighton and Hove’s Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “This was a hugely upsetting incident that was extremely distressing for Austin’s victim, and I would like to thank her for her strength and determination in supporting this conviction.

“Brighton and Hove has a close-knit business community and I would also like to thank them for their help in bringing this perpetrator to justice.

“Our city prides itself on its diversity and inclusivity and hate speech in any form will absolutely not be tolerated.

“Alex Austin is a committed criminal with over 60 previous convictions and we are pleased to see him brought to justice and behind bars.”

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