RACIST taunts were shouted at an Asian man when a gang targeted him in the centre of Newport, a court heard yesterday.

Violence broke out on Stow Hill and, later, at Newport bus station, where it was witnessed by a group of pensioners waiting to return home, prosecutor Ieuan Morris told Cardiff crown court at a sentencing hearing.

Craig Philips, 19, of Chep-stow Road, Newport, was yesterday sentenced to three months in a young offenders' institution after admitting two charges of using threatening words and behaviour at a hearing last month. Sentence was deferred for probation reports.

Judge Roderick Denyer said Philip took part in "unnecessary violence". The incident, said Mr Morris, took place on the night of November 13 when the gang of three behaved in a "cowardly, disgraceful and violent fashion".

Among those targeted was Tariq Ali, who was punched and pushed outside a takeaway food shop on Stow Hill.

The court heard he was taunted, racist comments were made and someone shouted: "You are going to be a dead man". Mr Morris said Philips provided the "back-up." One of the group said he was going to cut Mr Ali's throat.

Shortly after, said Mr Morris, the gang went to O'Neill's bar near Newport bus station, as they knew Mr Ali would be passing to catch his bus and he and his friends were set upon. Kicks and punches were thrown and again, said Mr Morris, Philips was among those providing back-up.

Two other men were sentenced at the previous hearing.