Man tried for racism against Indian family

A man appeared before a court in Northern Ireland for alleged racism against an Indian family and for pounding the front door of their residence with a hammer, a media report said.

William Strain, 29, from County Down -- one of six counties that form Northern Ireland -- gave death threats to the family, living in an apartment directly below his house, the News Letter reported on Tuesday.

The court on Monday heard that Strain also allegedly pounded his Indian neighbour's front door with a hammer and shouted that they were not allowed to live there.

The prosecution said the Indian man had to press both hands against the door and the attack took place amid continued racial slurs and threats.

Strain has also been accused of allegedly attacking a man with a broken bottle on June 18.

It was claimed that Strain smashed a bottle off the ground and threw it at the victim, striking him on the forehead and inflicting a two-inch cut. He was arrested and released.

Strain now faces charges of wounding with intent, common assault, resisting police, threats to kill, criminal damage and possessing an offensive weapon with intent over the two incidents, the report said.

Strain has denied all the charges.