The teenage son of soccer tycoon Matthew Harding has escaped a jail sentence after Brighton magistrates decided he should not go to prison.

Luke Harding, 19, of Underhill Lane, Ditchling, admitted at an earlier hearing charges of racially aggravated common assault, common assault and racially aggravated disorderly behaviour. The case had been adjourned for pre-sentence reports and Harding was warned he could be sent to prison.

District Judge Ann Arnold told Harding his behaviour was absolutely appalling but after reading the reports and character references from family, work colleagues and friends, she had taken into consideration his age and the remorse he had shown and decided not to jail him.

Harding was sentenced to 160 hours community service and fined £500. He was ordered to abide by a curfew every Friday and Saturday night from 8.30pm for the next three months. He will be fitted with an electronic tag and his movements will be monitored during the curfew period.

He must also pay a total of £250 compensation to his victims and £118 costs.

The court heard Harding was arrested on the night of June 10 at Brighton Railway Station after being involved in two different racist incidents.

David Woodings, prosecuting, told how Andrew Maggs, his Asian girlfriend Pamal Hayre, and a friend were walking towards the station after a night out in Brighton when they were approached by Harding, who had been celebrating a friend's 18th birthday.

Harding shouted at Ms Hayre: "Go back to your own country." He aggressively confronted the group before putting his arm around Mr Maggs neck. Harding's friend pulled him away.

Harding then threw a beer can at Ms Hayre, which hit her on the arm.

In the station Harding boarded a train where he approached two Asian doctors, who were travelling together to London.

He asked Dr Wijayasingham Giridharan and his fiancee Dr Chitra Arumugon if the train was going to a foreign destination.

Dr Wijayasingham said in a statement he realised Harding was being racist and was scared and angry at his behaviour. The couple decided to leave the train.

When Harding was arrested he told police he thought he was just having a laugh with the couple on the train. He said he thought the train must be going to Pakistan because they were Asian.

Adam James, defending, said Harding, who has no previous convictions, had drunk a large amount that evening and his behaviour was out of character. He had spent the night in custody after his arrest and learnt a salutory lesson.

He said: "It is a matter of grave embarrassment to find himself before the court. It was a drunken outburst. Appalling though it was, it will not be repeated. It has caused his family untold stress. This sort of behaviour is deplored by his family and has come as a great shock."

Mr James referred to the effect the death of his father in a helicopter crash in 1996 has had on Harding. He said the teenager had counselling for a short while at the time of the accident and following his arrest he should consider obtaining further help.

Harding was ordered to pay compensation of £125 to Ms Hayre, £75 to Mr Maggs and £50 to Dr Giridharan. He was ordered to pay the fines and costs within 14 days. The court heard the money will be paid from his trust fund. Ms Arnold suggested he pay back the money into his trust fund from the £640 a month wages he earns as an apprentice.

After the hearing his mother Ruth Harding issued a statement on behalf of the family. She said: "As a family we are totally opposed to racism of any kind. We are very disappointed with Luke, who committed his offence whilst under the influence of a considerable amount of alcohol.

"We accept the sentence of the court and know it is importance to send a message that this type of offence is not acceptable. Luke fully recognises the seriousness of the offence and the hurt he has caused. He wishes to send his sincere apologies to those involved."