A TEENAGER was attacked for saying “hello” to a man outside a takeaway.

Carl Bradley, aged 18, was sitting on a wall with a friend outside a takeaway shop in Eskrick Street, Halliwell, and was speaking to strangers as they walked by.

Bolton Crown Court heard that Rukhsar Khan arrived at about 9pm on October 18 and Mr Bradley said “hello” to him. Khan, who thought that Mr Bradley was making fun of him, punched Mr Bradley in the face, causing him to fall off the wall.

Ann Hughes, prosecuting, told the court that witnesses saw Khan jump over the wall and start stamping on him and kicking him in the head while shouting racist abuse.

Mr Bradley suffered a cut lip in the attack, which left him shaken.

In a victim-impact statement, Mr Bradley said: “It has affected my confidence and scares me to think that I can be attacked for saying hello to someone.”

Khan, aged 25, of Bertrand Road, Gilnow, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault and was yesterday given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 12 months, and ordered to complete 60 hours’ unpaid work and attend an anger-management programme.

He must also £150 pay compensation to the victim and £350 court costs.