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A racist thug who smashed a plank of wood into a Spanish man's face after screaming at him to 'speak English' has avoided jail.

Daniel Way was found guilty of racially aggravated assault after he launched an attack on Tomas Gil in Bournemouth, Dorset.

The 37-year-old initially gave a no comment interview to police - but after he was shown this shocking CCTV footage of himself assaulting Mr Gil, he admitted to the offence.

A police officer claimed Way 'smirked' as he was shown photographs of his 27-year-old victim's injuries.

The footage shows Way falling to the ground as he wrenches the plank from a building before getting up and charging towards Mr Gil.

He then hits him in the face with it, causing his victim to fall to the ground.

Simon Jones, prosecuting, told the court that the defendant 'screamed at the victim ' *** Spanish, speak in English'.

Describing the CCTV footage, he said: "[Way] swings the piece of wood, using it as a weapon, and strikes Mr Gil.

"Mr Gil sustained cuts and bruises to the mouth.

(Image: BNPS)

"He falls straight on the floor and seems knocked back for a moment.

"He described a feeling of losing consciousness."

The court heard that Way was then restrained by members of the public until police arrived immediately following the attack, which happened in the early hours of Thursday, May 19.

Guy Draper, mitigating, said Way is a 'genuinely remorseful defendant' and was 'driven to tears when he watched the CCTV footage'.

Mr Draper said: "This is disgraceful behaviour.

"There was a very recent break-up with a girlfriend. Probably because of this, he then started to medicate his upset by drinking too much on that night."

(Image: BNPS)

Way had also recently been diagnosed with ADHD , and didn't realise that his medication didn't mix well with alcohol, Mr Draper said.

He added: "He can't quite get to the bottom of why he did what he did.

"He is extremely ashamed of his use of racist language.

"He can't recall ever holding racist views."

Judge Brian Forster called the behaviour of Way, who pleaded guilty to racially aggravated assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage, 'totally unacceptable'.

(Image: BNPS)

He said: "On the morning in question, you took part in what can only be considered to be totally gratuitous and unnecessary violence."

The judge said he had considered Way's 'emotionally fragile state' before sentencing him to 12 months in prison, suspended for 15 months.

Way must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work and participate in 25 rehabilitation activity days, as well as pay his victim £800.

Ambulances were called when the defendant collapsed outside the court after the sentencing hearing.

He was treated at the scene for shock and allowed to return home.