A eracist tearaway who attacked his former teacher and abused a black teenager has been locked up for 33 months.

Lee Domagala walked into his old school - Dorothy Stringer in Brighton - and threatened to set two Staffordshire bull terriers on deputy head Simon Sharron, who had asked him to leave.

The 19-year-old said the dogs would "eat him alive", Lewes Crown Court heard yesterday.

Domagala, of South Coast Road, Telscombe Cliffs, then tried to force a 14-year-old black pupil in the playground to hand over his mobile phone. The youngster was punched when he refused.

The offences were committed in May last year, just a day after the defendant - who has 30 previous convictions and was a leading member of a car crime gang - was made the subject of an anti-social behaviour order by Brighton magistrates.

Rowan Jenkins, prosecuting, told the court that jobless Domagala and three other youths, plus the two dogs, went to the school at lunchtime and were politely asked to leave.

The teenager shouted abuse at Mr Sharron and told him: "If you try to stop us I will set the dogs on you and you will be sorry."

He said Mr Sharron repeatedly tried to get the gang, who were drinking from a can of lager, to leave the school.

When the gang passed a black pupil, Domagala demanded he hand over his phone.

Mr Jenkins said: "The teacher feared for the safety of the boy and stepped in between them."

Domagala tried again to grab the phone and then punched the boy, telling him: "I did that because you are black and I don't like blacks."

Domagala then turned on the teacher and repeatedly punched his head and face while other members of the gang kicked him.

Sarah Thorne, defending, said Domagala was scared he was going to be bullied by black inmates in the young offenders' institution where he has been sent.

Domagala admitted breaching an ant-isocial behaviour order, common assault, racially aggravated assault and handling a stolen mobile phone.