A thug who assaulted an elderly shopkeeper and hurled racist abuse was charged under the new hate crime act.

Michael Burns, 40, lashed out at Saleem Ahmed in Glasgow's Carntyne on May 11 2024.

Burns was "hostile" towards Mr Ahmed and made threats towards him.

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He then put his head against Mr Ahmed's forehead before he called his grandson and another man "P**i b******s."

Burns pleaded guilty on Tuesday at Glasgow Sheriff Court to an assault charge on Mr Ahmed under the hate crime and public order act.

The act is stated to be designed for offenders who have "a dislike or prejudice of age, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or variations in sex characteristics."

Burns conviction under the act is one of the earliest to take place in Scotland's criminal courts.

Burns, of the city's Baillieston, also admitted a separate charge of behaving in a racially aggravated manner towards the three men.

The court heard Mr Ahmed, his grandson and another man were unloading items into the convenience store.

Burns went inside the shop, became hostile towards Mr Ahmed and made threats towards him.

Burns then stated: "What are you going to do about it?"

The fiscal depute said: "Burns put his forehead against Mr Ahmed's head and he continued to act aggressively.

"He made further threats before pushing Mr Ahmed back."

Shouting was heard by the other men who then attended the shop.

Adeel Khan attempted to intervene to protect his grandfather and asked Burns to leave.

He refused and demanded that Mr Khan fight him.

The fiscal depute added: "He made numerous threats of violence and shouted numerous times 'P**i b******s'."

Burns initially left the shop but returned later when he repeated the racist remark.

A 999 call was made and officers traced Burns to arrest him.

Roberto Manini, defending, told the sentencing that his client had relapsed with an alcohol issue.

The lawyer added: "He is aware that people should be able to go about their daily business without being subjected to this type of behaviour."

Sheriff Paricia Pryce ordered Burns to pay Mr Ahmed £500 in compensation.

The other two men will also receive £250 in compensation.

The sheriff said: "You know how serious this was, you also have a shocking criminal record.

"You can maintain full time employment and a normal life so it is a balancing act.

"On this occasion, I will impose a direct alternative to custody."