A  NEWENT man used “racial language” towards a shopkeeper as he stole a can of energy drink.

Cheltenham Magistrates told Ricky Jones of Southend Lane that his offence was “aggravated by the racial language used.”

Jones had pleaded guilty to stealing the Red Bull drink from the shop in Longhope on July  15 2021.

They ordered Jones, who is 28,  to pay the shopkeeper the £1.35 cost of the Red Bull plus £50 “for the hurt feelings to the shopkeeper and the racial element.”