An Eastbourne teenager has pleaded guilty in court to making racist phone calls to an Indian shopkeeper.

The 15-year-old boy, who can't be named for legal reasons, admitted harassing the woman after an incident in her shop involving a group of his friends, Eastbourne Youth Court heard yesterday.

The court was told the boy made eight calls to the shop and her home between the beginning of July and end of August, three of which were traced back to the boy's house.

He admitted calling her a "Paki" and telling her to "go back to your own country".

Ray Blount, defending, said the boy had been upset at the way the woman had treated one of his friends. He had not been in trouble with the police before.

Magistrates ordered pre-sentence reports and adjourned the case.