

A Brighton woman who racially abused a shop assistant has been banned from the boutique for six months.

Lesley Doyle, 38, unemployed, who lives in supported housing in Cambridge Road, Hove, came into Profile Fashion in Ship Street and shouted abuse at the frightened shop assistant in front of Christmas shoppers.

Last Tuesday, she pleaded guilty to racially abusing the woman at Brighton Magistrates Court and was given a two-week Curfew, a Restraining Order prohibiting her from entering the shop for six months, and was ordered to pay both £85 court costs and an £85 victim surcharge.

PC James Breeds of the Brighton Prevention Team 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.”