A DATE has been set for the trial of a man from Worcester who is accused of racially abusing police officers at the city's hospital.

Worcester Magistrates Court was told that Benjamin Lacey was sitting down at Worcestershire Royal Hospital on October 24 last year before suddenly standing up and allegedly shouting racist abuse at the officers.

When the officers responded, 31-year-old Lacey then allegedly warned them: “Don’t touch me, I will take you out.”

Lacey, of Windsor Avenue in Worcester, told magistrates last Thursday (January 10) that he would plead guilty to the basic charge of disorderly behaviour, but said he was “definitely not guilty” of the racially aggravated element of the alleged offence.

A trial date was set for March 8 at Worcester Magistrates Court. Lacey was granted unconditional bail until then.

See worcesternews.co.uk for updates on this case.