Three men attacked an Italian barman because they incorrectly assumed he was Muslim, a court heard.

Joshua O'Leary, 23, and Alfred Young, 19, attacked Dario Antonioni in the in east London on 10 June shouting "f***ing Muslim" and "Muslim go home".

He told Inner London crown court that he that he had a beard at the time. Judge Benedict Kellehe said, "“Due to your prejudice and ignorance and because he had a small beard you all thought he was a Muslim and shouted abuse at him.

“He put up a spirited defence to your completely unjustified attack late at night while under the influence of alcohol.”

A third man, who was not caught, appeared to be the leader in the attack reports the Evening Standard.

Mr Antonioni had a bottle thrown at him after he exited Canada Water tube station.

He said: “The three of them surrounded me. I fell to the ground and I was struck everywhere by all three of them. I said: ‘What are you doing? Why are you doing this?’ and I was speaking to them in Italian, but they increased the shouting. They wanted to beat me up … All three of them hit me, kicks and punches, and when I was on the floor there were more kicks and punches.”

O'Leary denied taking part in the attack but was found guilty by a jury of religiously aggravated assault.

He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, 180 hours of community services, 20 days rehabilitation and a night-time curfew for 12 weeks.

Young admitted to the same charge and was handed a 12-month community order with 80 hours community service and a six-week night-time curfew.

They were both ordered to pay compensation to the victim.