A MAN who attended court to sort out a "misunderstanding" ended up being arrested when he racially abused an interpreter who had done nothing but be polite to him.

Blackburn magistrates heard Christopher Smith didn't realise he was standing next to a plain clothes police officer when he referred to the interpreter's colour and called her a b****.

Smith, 25, of Arran Avenue, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards Madia Shah.

He was given a conditional discharge for 12 months and ordered to pay £30 compensation and £20 victim surcharge.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Miss Shah was on the court corridor waiting for the afternoon session to start when she saw Smith standing at the usher's desk knocking on the window.

He asked her if she knew where the ushers were and when she said 'no' made a racist comment.

"She felt alarmed and distressed by the comment, particularly as she had been polite to him when he had asked her a question," said Mrs Yates.

"When he was interviewed he admitted calling Miss Shah 'black' but said it wasn't racist it was just a colour.

"Asked how he thought she might feel he said he wasn't bothered.

"He said he didn't know he was standing next to a detective when he made the comment."

Gareth Price, defending, said Smith had been at court all morning and the breach matter that needed to be relisted had not been able to be called on.

"He felt frustrated at having to come back in the afternoon," said Mr Price.

"It was an unfortunate set of circumstances that led to this outburst."