An unemployed homeless man who admitted sending menacing Facebook messages to a man he also racially abused, left court £840 better off after magistrates looked again at his penalties from previous offences.

Reece Mooney, 23, took offence at remarks about his dog, Rex, which had allegedly bitten a woman’s arm in Brenchley Gardens.

Mooney sent his victim an expletive-laden message, including: “Why do you keep chucking **** at my dog? You’d better watch yourself.”

Days later Mooney pushed his victim backwards in Week Street, calling him: “A Jew with a big nose and beard.”

Lee Bridges, defending, said Mooney deeply regretted the offensive language, but suggested his victim had responded to initial catcalls.

Two further charges against Mooney were dismissed.

Fiaz Hussain, prosecuting, said Mooney blamed his victim for his dog being taken into police custody. Mooney faces a trial, charged with having a dangerously out of control dog in a public place. He denies this.

Magistrates heard Mooney had accrued £4,282 in fines and compensation, from previous convictions, but made no payments since October.

In January, he was convicted by Medway Magistrates Court of two counts of common assault and given a community order and 80 hours of unpaid work.

Maidstone magistrates imposed a second community order with a further 100 hours of unpaid community work.

Mooney was also ordered to pay £100 compensation to his victim.

Chairman of the bench Louise Bryant remitted £840 and said there would be no costs or victim surcharge because of Mooney’s inability to pay.

In addition Mooney must not contact his victim or go to his workplace.