A MAN was called a “raghead” and slapped across the face by a woman as he attended Swindon’s Sikh temple, a court has heard.

Louise Hill is accused of an “Alf Garnett-like” tirade after Charanjit Kharaud told her the car park at the temple was full.

Hill told Mr Kharaud: “You ragheads don’t belong here, you bring our country down,” Swindon Crown Court heard.

The 66-year-old widow later struck Mr Kharaud across the face with a booklet for a senior citizen’s group she had attended.

Hill, of Cloverlands, Swindon, denies causing religiously aggravated harassment, alarm or distress; religiously aggravated common assault and an alternative charge of assault by beating.

She claims she had never even heard of the term “raghead”and says she was defending herself.

Mr Kharaud, who had organised a three-day family function at the temple, was monitoring traffic on September 1, last year.

Unknown to him the University Of The Third Age was holding a freshers’ day at the community centre behind the Kembrey Street temple.

Giving evidence, Mr Kharaud said: “She said ‘Why’ve we booked this stupid Sikh temple?’ “She then said: ‘You ragheads don’t belong here, you bring our country down’”

He admitted telling Hill to “p*** off” and refused to allow her entry to the car park.

But half an hour later he encountered Hill again as she walked back across the car park.

Mr Kharaud said: “She struck me across the face with a pamphlet she was holding.

“I raised a finger and said to her ‘You’re lucky you’re not a man, or I’d have retaliated.’ She just walked away grinning.

“It was so embarrassing because everyone saw it. All of our guests, who came from all over the country.”

George Connell, a dance teacher at University Of The Third Age, witnessed the alleged attack. He said Hill ranted like bigot Alf Garnett in BBC sitcom Till Death Us Do Part.

Mr Connell said: “She implied there were too many foreigners in this country. Then she hit him with the booklet. It was a vicious swipe.”

When Hill took the stand she claimed Mr Kharaud lost his temper with her over a misunderstanding.

The consultant, who advises on fire and safety issues, told jurors she actually said: “Why did the U3A book their freshers’ day in a blooming temple when there’s no parking facilities?

“I didn’t intend to insult the Sikh religion – it was a comment about the U3L planning arrangements. “But Mr Kharaud became agitated and said I’d disrespected the temple. “He called me a stupid bitch and told me to p*** off.”

Hill claimed Mr Kharaud continued to verbally abuse her after she parked nearby and made her way on foot to the community centre.

Mrs Hill told jurors she only stayed at the meeting for half an hour as she was in shock, but came back into contact with Mr Kharaud, who blocked her path by stepping in front of her.

She said: “He put his fingers before my eyes so I instinctively flicked his hand out of my face to defend myself and the booklet caught the tips of his finger.” She denied making any racist comments.

The voluntary custody visitor said: “I’ve probably got more friends from overseas than indigenous to this country. “The best man at my wedding was Indian.”

Jurors heard how, when quizzed by police, Mrs Hill described Mr Kharaud’s listening skills as “under-developed”. She said he had a “chip on his shoulder”, that he “lacked a sense of humour” and was “playing the race-card”.

l The case continues