THREE Malvern men chased a man, shouting racial abuse, as he made his way home, a court was told.

Roland Green, Stuart Hill and Matthew Hodgkins followed the man to his home in Russell Drive, Malvern, where his wife and nine-year-old son were inside.

They shouted racial abuse at him, waved iron bars around and made threats.

At Worcester Crown Court, Green and Hill were sentenced to nine months in prison, suspended for two years, after admitting a charge of affray. They were each ordered to carry out 175 hours' unpaid work.

Hodgkins, who admitted a charge of using threatening behaviour, was given a two-year community order and will have to carry out 125 hours unpaid work.

Peter Tooke, prosecuting, told the court that Green, aged 20, of Green Lane, confronted the complainant as he rode his bicycle home at night.

Mr Tooke said: "The complainant had seen Mr Green having an argument with an older man as he cycled to the shop. On his way back Mr Green approached him and asked him why he was following him."

An argument ensued and Green telephoned his two friends, Hill, 20, of Howsell Road, and Hodgkins, 21, of West Malvern Road. The two arrived shortly afterwards on a moped and proceeded to chase the complainant on his bicycle to Russell Drive.

The men shouted racial abuse at the man outside his home and at one point were waving iron bars at him.

Mr Tooke said: "The complainant feared for his safety. He has feared revenge attacks since this and has been considering leaving the town."

The situation was diffused when police arrested the men.

The court was told the men regretted their actions and had admitted the offences at the earliest opportunity.

In sentencing them Judge Andrew Geddes said: "This was an utterly disgraceful incident of which I hope you are thoroughly ashamed."