A BOUNCER was beaten in an unprovoked racist attack, unlike any other he had ever experienced, outside a Weston bar.

Nyamanding Keita, who has been a doorman for 13 years, was hit and abused outside Dragon Kiss by a 20-year-old who subsequently fell asleep on the floor.

Liam Fitzgerald, of Mead Vale in Worle, pleaded guilty to one count of racially aggravated beating at North Somerset Courthouse on Friday.

Mr Keita, commonly known as George, was working outside the bar in Regent Street during the early hours of December 15 when Fitzgerald went to enter the premises.

Speaking to police, he said: “The male (Fitzgerald) passed me and I asked for identification because I thought he looked under 18.

“He ignored my request so I gently touched his elbow and again asked for identification.

“He suddenly turned and said ‘you ****ing minger’ and struck me with an open palm on the left cheek. The force made me fall onto the door handle.”

The pair continued to struggle before Mr Keita was able to push Fitzgerald onto a Christmas tree and to the ground, where the defendant fell asleep.

Police were called and when Fitzgerald awoke he subjected the doorman to a torrent of abusive comments which left Mr Keita ‘upset’.

He said Fitzgerald’s attack had come completely out of the blue.

Mr Keita said: “I’m always friendly and courteous. Sometimes people are difficult but I have never experienced anything like it.

“The thing that’s really upset me and embarrassed me is the racist comments. It’s been really difficult for me.”

Fitzgerald had drunk about a dozen alcoholic beverages in the 12 hours leading up to the attack, the court was told.

He said he was ‘incredibly remorseful and embarrassed’ by the incident and had not had any alcohol since.

Kate Herbison, chair of the bench, handed him an eight-week curfew and community order.

She said: “We have heard that you are remorseful, it’s out-of-character and you are ashamed of it. We hope nothing like this happens again.”

Fitzgerald also must pay £100 compensation, £60 victim surcharge and £85 costs.