A POLICE officer accused of making homophobic and racist comments in a gay bar has passed out in the dock under cross examination.

Peter O'Kane, who has been suspended from Cleveland Police for ten months, admitted making several derogatory remarks, but denied that they were intended to cause offence.

The off-duty PC was drinking in The Oak, in Newport Road, Middlesbrough, on December 28, when he is alleged to have become offensive and made unacceptable remarks, Teesside Magistrates' Court was told.

The officer denied he had held up a camera phone with a picture a male bottom and showed it to other drinkers in the bar.

Mr O'Kane, who has pleaded not guilty to two charges of committing public order offences, also denies abusing a doorman who asked him and five friends to leave the premises.

Graham Brown, defending, said his client accepted that he made some inappropriate comments, but they were to his circle of friends and not directed at anyone in the bar.

Mr O'Kane said: "I asked why we were in a gay bar. I didn't mean to offend anybody in the bar. I was confronted by someone who was offended by my comments and I didn't say anything else."

He added: "The next thing I knew a guy came in and demanded that we leave and started throwing our drinks about.

"Some members of my group got up and leave, but I challenged this man's behaviour and had a verbal confrontation with him."

The police were called to the pub after bar worker Shabil Munir was allegedly verbally abused.

The court was told that Mr O'Kane made comments including, "It's bad enough to be gay, but black as well" and "If you were gay, would you be a giver or a taker?".

However, the officer denied making any racial comments while he was in the bar.

The 25-year-old, who has been an officer for nearly four years, asked for a glass of water before collapsing. The hearing was halted for 15 minutes while security staff ensured he was well enough to carry on.

The trial is proceeding.