A DRUG addict has been jailed after he hurled racist abuse at a care worker working for a charity which helps people affected by violence and abuse, a court heard.

Appearing from custody at North East Wales Magistrates Court, Richard Lee Baldini admitted two offences of racially motivated threatening behaviour and one of failing to surrender to custody after he failed to attend court for an earlier hearing.

Justin Espie, prosecuting, said the female victim, who was not named in court, worked at Bawso, a voluntary organisation providing specialist services to victims of domestic abuse and all forms of violence, based on Grosvenor Road, Wrexham.

Mr Espie said at about 11am on May 10 last year the victim was dealing with some clients who had been the victim of human trafficking including children when she had to move to another part of the office where she found Baldini, 32, blocking a doorway.

When she said "excuse me", the defendant became aggressive and he racially abused the worker.

In a personal statement read to the court by Mr Espie, the victim said she felt "intimidated and at risk of a physical assault" and feared for her safety when leaving the office.

She said a number of similar men hung around close to the office and she was worried about working late or early in the morning when fewer people were around.

She added: "It is not fair to the people I work with as well because they are very vulnerable."

The court heard Baldini, of Benjamin Road, Wrexham, had 29 previous convictions for 84 offences and had been found guilty of these new offences in his absence.

Gary Harvey, defending, told the Mold court Baldini had long-term health problems including blood clots to his legs which needed dressing regularly.

She said her client had denied the charges throughout his interviews and maintained it was a case of mistaken identity.

Probation office Andrew Connah said Baldini "totally denies the offence" and claimed he was "not in the slightest bit racist" as he had a 17-year-old son who was of mixed race.

He added Baldini was currently prescribed methadone but regularly used street methadone and heroin.

Steven Vale, chair of the bench, said: "These are unsavoury stories about an outreach worker being racially abused in her workplace and we have no alternative but to send you to custody.

Baldini was jailed for 12 weeks for the Section 4 offences and one week for failing to surrender to police.

He must also pay a victim surcharge of £115.