A 35-year-old man tried to spark a fight with Asian youths after hurling racial abuse at them during violent clashes in Bradford more than a week ago, a Court heard.

David Appleyard was walking along Hall Ings when he began to taunt and goad the group who were throwing bricks and bottles at police officers, Bradford Magistrates Court was told.

As he tried to provoke them into a fight, some of the youths broke away from the group and started to attack him with missiles.

Appleyard was injured in the incident on July 7, suffering a cut to his head which needed hospital treatment.

After his arrest, he told police he was making his way to the city's Interchange when he became the "victim of an unprovoked attack".

Appleyard, of Trafalgar Square, Scarborough, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated threatening behaviour.

Mitigating, Javed Arshad told the court that Appleyard came to Bradford to see his daughter and ex-partner. But when he was unable to get in touch with then he went into the city centre to have a few drinks.

Mr Arshad described how Appleyard was then caught up between Asian youths and the police like "piggy in the middle".

He said that even though Appleyard did shout racial abuse at the youths he was not involved in any right-wing groups.

District Judge (Magistrates) David Thomas remanded him in custody to appear at Bradford Crown Court for sentence.