A WOMAN has pleaded guilty for racially abusing a shop assistant.

Lesley Doyle, from Cambridge Road, Hove, admitted to abusing and humiliating an assistant at a shop in Duke Street, Brighton in December last year.

The 38-year-old appeared before Brighton magistrates court on Monday where she pleaded guilty.

Ms Doyle, unemployed, was given a two-week curfew and a restraining order to prevent her from entering the shop for six months.

She was also ordered to pay £170 for court costs and victim surcharge.

PC James Breeds said: “This was a particularly nasty incident in which Doyle entered the shop and proceeded to abuse and humiliate the woman, a compete stranger to her, in front of her colleagues and the general public when the assistant challenged her about offensive behaviour to other staff.

“This behaviour was a disgrace for which I understand Doyle is very remorseful, but the victim was clearly affected by her vicious abuse and victimisation.

“Where racism or any sort of hate crime is reported to us, we will look to act and deal with the matter robustly.”