(Image: NORTHERN ECHO)
A homophobic thug called a man 'f****** gay b******' before carrying out a brutal attack.
Shaun Whittaker leapt from his van and assaulted the man in Bishop Auckland while the victim was working as a carer, Newton Aycliffe Magistrates' Court heard.
Prosecutor Rehana Haque said 39-year-old Whittaker knew the victim because they lived in the same part of the Woodhouse estate, but were not friends.
She said: "He got out of his van and started shouting before hitting him to the face twice. When the victim put his hands up to protect himself, Whittaker grabbed hold of his arm and pulled him over.
"When he was on the ground he kicked him to the stomach."
In a victim impact statement, the man said he had never been assaulted because of his sexuality and was now scared to leave home in case he bumped into the defendant.
Whittaker, of Howard Close, Bishop Auckland, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm committed on October 26, last year.
His lawyer, Stacey Lee Christon, said Whittaker had only recently been released from prison when he committed the offence.
She added: "He was finding it difficult to adjust to life outside prison.
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"He is remorseful for his actions that day."
Bench chairman William Unsworth imposed an 18-month community order, including a four-month curfew from 7pm to 7am, for the 'hate crime'.
Whittaker was ordered to pay £500 in compensation and £514 in court costs.
The court also imposed a 12-month restraining order on him.