A TRAFFIC warden who handed a ticket to a man parked on the pavement, and on double yellow lines, was threatened and then chased, a court was told.

It is alleged Tahir Afsar, aged 19, of Rawson Street, Farnworth, shouted racial abuse at warden David Whittle before "chesting" him, knocking him back against his scooter during the incident in King Street, Farnworth.

Afsar denies the allegations and has pleaded not guilty at Bolton Crown Court to racially aggravating behaviour likely to cause fear or provocation of violence. He also denied a second charge of dangerous driving.

The court was told that after the incident, Mr Whittle got back on to his 50cc scooter, which only has a maximum speed of 30mph, but was pursued by Afsar, who was driving directly behind the parking attendant, weaving from left to right.

Mr Whittle rode straight to Farnworth police station.

The alleged incident happened on February 20 last year after Afsar parked his P-registered Volkswagen Golf outside the Job Centre in King Street, at 11am.

Mr Tom Fitzpatrick, prosecuting, said: "What followed was the defendant losing his temper, losing it in a serious way and not accepting that what he had done was wrong.

"He remonstrated with David Whittle. He was threatening, physically threatening, and moved towards intimidation both in physical activity and words that were spoken.

"He chested Mr Whittle, pushing him backwards. Mr Afsar behaved in an appalling fashion against a man performing a public service."

Proceeding