A man who racially abused his neighbour after swearing because her children were making a noise while out playing has been given a 12-month community order.

Phillip Eastwood, of Newnham Court, Ipswich, told his neighbour “you should all be bombed” before he kept using the word ‘Muslims’ towards her.

Eastwood, 46, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour when he appeared before Ipswich magistrates.

The court heard Eastwood’s neighbour Cara Larter said he mentioned Muslims four times during his rant which happened on June 19.

Sentencing Eastwood, Chairman of the Bench Mike Cadman told him: “In the current political circumstances in our country, with all that’s gone on, it is a very unhelpful offence to commit to put it mildly.”

Prosecutor Tess Mann had told the court Ms Larter has lived in her flat for four years and has three children.

There had been previous issues between her and Eastwood, who was given a harassment warning by police last summer.

The warning appeared to be working, but the situation began to deteriorate again and at one stage an argument broke out when Ms Larter used a lawnmower at 8.45pm one evening.

Ms Larter’s children were among six youngsters playing in the communal garden at 5.45pm on June 19. Mrs Mann said Eastwood swore at them while telling them to be quiet. A witness shouted back at Eastwood suggesting he should be quiet.

Eastwood and his partner came out on to their balcony. Eastwood then made then comment about being bombed and Muslims to Ms Larter.

Dave Allan, representing Eastwood, said: “Let me say at once no one views this with more distaste than, I think, the defendant. He was arrested shortly after this at his place of work. He was interviewed and made admissions and expresses enormous regret.”

The court heard Eastwood, a newspaper vendor, is likely to lose his job as a result of his conviction.

Mr Allan added: “He is somewhat at a loss as to why he used that particular language. He simply says he was lashing out.”

Eastwood must undertake 80 hours’ unpaid work as part of his community order and pay the court £170.