Racist jailed for abusive letters

A racist who bombarded the owners of an Asian takeaway in Carlisle with abusive notes has been jailed for nine months.

Derek Potts pushed 36 pieces of paper through the door of the Lazeez takeaway in Currock, Carlisle, in August 2005.

Many contained racist insults and threats of violence and displayed the logo of the British National Party.

Potts, 32, of Blackwell Road, admitted distributing writing containing the threat of racially aggravated violence and causing alarm and distress.

The judge at Carlisle Crown Court described what Potts had done as "vile and offensive".