A teenage girl who racially abused her support worker has been ordered to go on an anger management course.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested after officers were called to an address in Crawley after a key worker at a property supporting young adults had been racially abused and threatened.

The girl, who was in possession of a small amount of cannabis at the time, also resisted an officer who was trying to arrest her during the incident on February 5.

She appeared at Brighton Youth Court on May 6 and pleaded guilty to racially aggravated fear or provocation of violence, racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress, resisting a police officer in the execution of his duty and unlawful possession of a controlled drug.

The court made a youth reparation order with the teenager being ordered to do 12 hours of community service and take part in a nine-day anger management programme. She was also made the subject of a 12-month supervision order.

Sergeant Peter Allan, the force's hate crime sergeant, said: "I am pleased this girl has been sentenced for the racially aggravated threats of violence she made against someone whose job it is to support her.

"This sends out a clear signal that we will take a robust approach to those who target individuals based on their race, disability, gender identity, religion or sexual orientation.

"I hope this case will encourage other victims of hate crime to report such behaviour to the police.”

Hate crime can be reported by calling 01273 470101 or 999 in an emergency.

It can also be reported online via http://bit.ly/1fTDYJh.