AN argument over borrowed DVDs led a teenager to make racist threats that he would rape a man and stab his child, a court has heard.

Magistrates in Newton Aycliffe heard a discussion between Kyle Lewis William Fleming and Iltaf Hussain over DVDS loaned by the latter to the former escalated into a shouting match on Wednesday, June 18.

Prosecutor Lorraine Cooper said Hussain yelled he would burn Fleming’s house down after also complaining that Fleming’s girlfriend had been spreading rumours about him.

The next day Fleming, 19, of Stainmore Walk in Newton Aycliffe, went to the offices of the housing group that helps both men and made a string of threats against Hussain, the court heard.

Ms Cooper said at about 9.45am on June 19, Fleming used a racial slur about Hussain and said if the agency did not take action against the 29-year-old’s threats the day before, he would take matters into his own hand.

Fleming said he would stab Hussain in front of his young son, stab the child, have Mr Hussain raped by others and rape him himself, Ms Cooper told the court.

Ms Cooper said Fleming told a housing officer: “If nothing is done about this mate I will go round there and stab him (Hussain) in front of his wife and kid and see how he likes it.

“I might be skinny and there might not be anything on us but I will still do it.”

In total, Fleming made 10 separate threats to stab Hussain as well as the other claims, the court heard.

Fleming was arrested and after he told police about Hussain’s threats the day before, Hussain, of Angram Place in Newton Aycliffe, was also picked up.

Ms Cooper said Hussain was not charged for his threats on June 18 but in the police station he recognised a pair of Fleming’s shoes outside a cell and shouted: “You pr**k, you’re dead.”

Fleming admitted using racially aggravated threats when he appeared at court while Hussain pleaded guilty to using threatening behaviour.

Ms Cooper said Fleming told police he feared Hussain would carry out the threat and although he initially took no action, he reported it the following day after his girlfriend called him a coward for not doing anything about it.

Fleming will return to court for sentencing on Friday, July 25, after a report is prepared, and was granted bail on condition he does not contact Hussain.

Laura Moorby representing Hussain said he had moved to the area to escape a criminal life in Peterborough and was doing well.

Hussain was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.