A LOCHGELLY man’s racist rants in an Indian takeaway almost landed him a jail sentence.

Kyle Gardener, 34, of Fraser Drive, appeared in the dock at Dunfermline Sheriff Court.

He admitted that on March 28, at Taste of India, High Street, Cowdenbeath, he acted in a racially-aggravated manner to two people there by shouting, swearing and making racist remarks.

He also damaged property by punching a light fixture.

Depute fiscal Larissa Milligan said that Gardener had gone into the takeaway in an intoxicated state and became abusive towards two brothers working there.

He was making racist comments such as “Paki b*******” and seemed to be unhappy about problems he had with an order earlier in the week.

Police who were in the area saw Gardener’s behaviour as he continued to shout and swore then punch a light fixture.

When arrested, Gardener said: “It’s all lies.”

Defence solicitor Elaine Buist told the court: “He accepts it’s not the most glowing social work report. He’s very disappointed that he’s appearing in court and is determined to put his past behind him.”

Sheriff Wylie Robertson told Gardener that if it was not for the fact that he had childcare responsibilities for his son, he would have been heading to jail.

Instead, he imposed a community payback order with 140 hours of unpaid work, 14 months of supervision and a five-month restriction of liberty order.