A NEWPORT man accused the police of being "racist pigs" while they were searching his brother, a court was told.

Abdi Hashi, 26 of Commercial Road, Newport, was convicted of resisting a constable, after a trial carried out in his absence at Newport Magistrates' Court.

He returned to the court for sentencing, speaking in Somali through an interpreter.

Magistrates ordered Hashi a £100 fine, £100 contribution towards the cost of the trial and a £15 victim surcharge.

Jason Howells, prosecuting, said: "PC Oliver was on duty at 11pm on June 21 in the Williams Close area of Newport.

"They were searching two people and a vehicle when they were approached by a number of people including the defendant.

"Officers asked the group to stay away as they had nothing to do with the search, but the defendant shouted 'You racist pig, you are racist, go away'."

The police warned Hashi about his behaviour but he continued and was arrested, the court heard.

He struggled when officers attempted to put handcuffs on him and he was taken to the ground.

Mike Heames, mitigating, said: "My client has difficulties with reading and writing, he is also profoundly deaf in one ear and needs a hearing aid.

"His first language is Somali and he also has speech problems.

"There lies the problem with this defendant and the police, he as been convicted twice for public order offences and there is always a problem with communication.

"His brother was being arrested by the police, he was upset and trying to get his point of views over to the officers."