A RACIALLY abusive thug admitted carrying out violent attacks on two Greenock schoolboys — then was immediately freed on bail at the town’s sheriff court.

Foul-mouthed Samuel Arkley — who was already at liberty charged with threatening behaviour towards a woman — is today back on the streets in the wake of the assaults he carried out last Friday.

The 29-year-old multiple offender punched a 16-year-old lad in the face to his injury in Cumberland Road, adjacent to Inverclyde Academy, while pupils were on a lunch break last Friday afternoon.

Minutes earlier, Arkley hurled racist abuse at another boy before assaulting a 15-year-old by seizing his clothing, dragging him and struggling with the youngster.

Shocking video footage of the attacks — filmed by witnesses and published yesterday in the Tele — shows Arkley staggering in the street outside a crowded snack shop before he gestures towards pupils inside with both of his arms raised.

He then suddenly turns and assaults a boy standing on the pavement among a large group of kids — sparking a melee which a woman breaks up. In another clip Arkley is topless as he approaches a boy standing with his hands in his pockets before landing a forceful right-handed punch to his face.

The lout is then seen marching away as shocked pupils rush to the boy’s aid.

Arkley appeared in court from custody yesterday to plead guilty to acting in a racially aggravated manner towards one boy which caused, or was intended to cause him, alarm and distress.

He admitted, through defence lawyer David Tod, to shouting racist remarks and to attacking the two other boys.

His not guilty plea to behaving in a threatening or abusive manner, shouting, swearing, and challenging pupils to fight was accepted by the Crown. Arkley was on bail on a charge of following his ex-partner in Greenock’s Union Street last August and shouting and swearing at her. He is currently due to stand trial on that matter on 9 March.

Solicitor Mr Tod told the court: “He has no previous convictions for violence or contravention of the bail act.” Sheriff Paul Reid deferred sentence for a background report on Arkley and told him: “You will be released on bail.” Arkley, of Banff Road, Greenock, is scheduled to be sentenced regarding his attacks on the schoolboys on 18 March.