A former Cardiff and Oxford United footballer shouted racist abuse at a woman in a kebab shop and assaulted the police officer who came to arrest him.

Michael Corcoran, 28, drank more than a gallon of beer and headed to Kebab Zero in Kingsland Road, Shoreditch, during a “lads’ night out” with three friends on April 22.

Corcoran, who now plays for Wealdstone FC, then led the group as they chanted racist abuse at Michelle Kwarteng.

Ms Kwarteng was left in shock as Corcoran banged on the shop counter and stared into her eyes during the tirade.

She pointed Corcoran out to Pc Tracey Chapman, but when she tried to arrest him opposite Shoreditch Town Hall he shoved her aside and sprinted away along the pavement, running straight into a car and requiring treatment for minor injuries by paramedics.

Corcoran, of Lynton Close, Neasden, was convicted of assaulting a police officer and racially aggravated harassment last month, and was ordered to carry out 220 hours unpaid work and pay £1,085 in fines and costs at Thames Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

He expressed remorse, saying he “didn’t have a clue what he was doing”. He denied racially abusing Ms Kwarteng but was convicted by magistrates.

District Judge Sonia Sims told Corcoran: “When the drink is in, the wit is out.

“It was loutish and offensive behaviour – I accept that it was not just you on your own, but the comments made were abusive and certainly caused distress.”

Kiroulus Abadir, defending, explained that Corcoran is paid a “pittance” of £150 per game, with a potential win bonus, so he is saving money to retrain as an HGV driver.