A 28-year-old man was fined for verbally abusing the sales assistant at the Esso Garage in Park Gate – and told to pay his victim £100 compensation.
David James swore at Isaac Davison, who was working alone at the garage on Bridge Road, through the late night service window while he and two friends were waiting for a taxi.
Following the incident, at 12.30am on December 1, 2012, James and his friends went off in a taxi, but Mr Davison said he had felt intimidated and threatened by the incident, prosecutor Giles Fletcher said.
Defending, Gaylene Coles said James denied making any racist comments and that he had had some alcohol prior to the incident.
She said James thought he was “having a laugh” with his friends by pressing the button for the service assistance while asking for food.
“He’s sorry that he has caused this lone worker such alarm and distress and apologises for his actions on that evening,” she added.
James, of Botany Bay Road, Southampton, pleaded guilty to the charge of using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour or disorderly behaviour within the hearing or sight of a person likely to be caused harassment, alarm or distress.
He was fined £100 by Fareham magistrates and ordered to pay £100 compensation and a £20 victim surcharge.