A TEENAGER who racially abused a shopkeeper after he refused to sell him alcohol appeared before magistrates today (Tuesday, December 10).

Thomas Paul Harrison directed racist insults towards a staff member at Clifton News in Darlington on two occasions after being asked for identification when attempting to buy alcohol.

The 19-year-old, of Burnhope, Newton Aycliffe, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates Court.

Sarah Traynor, prosecuting, read a statement from the victim which said: “I was offended by the comment the male made towards me. No-one has the right or authority to racially abuse me in any way.”

Alan Meehan, mitigating, said: “My client is not a racist and he has been quite candid about the incident.

“He was drunk and racially abused the shop owner. It was a brief set of circumstances in which he used racist language twice and then left. He realises what he said was offensive and regrets it.”

Mr Meehan said Harrison had been in the Army but came out earlier this year to care for his mother.

Magistrates sentenced Harrison to 12 months probation supervision and 80 hours unpaid work.

He was also ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and £60 compensation to the victim.