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A homeless man threw hot coffee at a Muslim woman before hitting her and calling her a “terrorist” at a branch of Dunkin’ Donuts in New York, US authorities said.

Nathan Gray, 34, allegedly told his 21-year-old victim he “hated Muslims” before threatening to kill her.

He has been charged with assault as a hate crime, police said.

The New York Daily News reported that Mr Gray walked into the fast food store in mid-town Manhattan on Sunday afternoon and asked for a cup of coffee.

A store employee, who did not want to be named, told the paper that on paying for his coffee the 34-year-old allegedly sat next to group of Muslim women and started shouting at them, calling them “terrorists”.

The women reportedly tried to ignore him but he continued shouting.

She said: “One woman called him ‘stupid.’ So he threw his hot coffee in her face.

“It was hot, hot coffee. She could have been burned. Then he swung his bag at her and it hit her in the face.”

The woman then ran outside where Mr Gray allegedly put her in a headlock.

Emergency services were called to the scene and Mr Gray was arrested. The victim reportedly refused medical attention.