A HEREFORD man who told police officers he wanted to ‘cut Muslims’ heads off’ has been given a fine by magistrates.

Paul Christopher Jones, 53, of Monnow Crescent, Redhill, claimed he was not racist and his words and actions on July 16 were down to drink.

Jones pleaded guilty to two counts of causing racially aggravated alarm or distress by words when he appeared before Hereford Magistrates.

Owen Beal, prosecuting, said that police were first called to Monnow Crescent at 2.10am on July 16, to reports of a man waving a stick around and hitting a bush.

“They found the defendant in his living room and he appeared to be very drunk,” said Mr Beal.

Once police had checked on his welfare they were about to leave and Jones followed them into the public hallway of the property.

“He started shouting that he hated black people and Muslims,” added Mr Beal.

“Jones said that he wanted to kill black people and wanted to cut Muslims’ heads off.”

But, in interview, Jones said that he wasn’t racist although he did hate Muslims.

The court heard that Jones had appeared in court last June for another racially aggravated offence.

Philip Cornell, mitigating, said that Jones was out of control.

“Opinions are opinions but when expressed in a drunken state in public they can cause trouble,” he added.

“When he says he is not racist that is probably true as he was totally out of this world on home made wine.”

Magistrates ordered Jones to pay a £120 fine and £135 in court costs.

Jones was also told to pay a £30 victim surcharge.