A THUG launched a racial attack on a man collecting groceries from a shop, a court heard.

Scott Pearton, 20, of Hever Avenue, West Kingsdown, was told that he was facing custody after being convicted of racially aggravated assault causing grievous bodily harm and racially aggravated provocation of violence.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that the victim had gone to the Co-op in West Kingsdown in his slippers when he was punched by Pearton.

Eleanor Laws, prosecuting, said the victim suffered a deep cut to his lip and needed stitches.

Pearton denied the charges. He was released on conditional bail until sentence on October 10.