A MAN racially abused a shopkeeper after he was told he had to take his dog out of a store.

John Cant, 44, insulted the owner of the Lifestyle Express shop, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe magistrates heard.

The owner of the shop asked Cant, of Jubilee Road, Shildon, to leave as dogs were not allowed in the shop.

The court was told that Cant pointed his finger at the shopkeeper aggressively and then racially insulted him.

Cant was forced out of the shop by his girlfriend after the incident at 8.35pm on May 6.

Prosecutor Clare Irving told the court that Cant drank nine litres of strong cider a day and that he could not remember fully what had taken place.

She added that Cant had said he knew the owner was Asian but claimed he did not have a problem with that.

James Willoughby, defending, said Cant regularly used the shop and on previous occasions had taken his dog inside.

He added that the shop’s owners had changed and that the new bosses did not want dogs to go in.

Mr Willoughby said Cant had been under the influence of alcohol and had been perplexed when he was told to take his dog out.

The magistrates heard that Cant, who pleaded guilty to a charge of causing racially aggravated distress by words or writing, was apologetic for his actions.

He was fined £73 and will pay £85 prosecution costs. Cant will also play a £20 victim surcharge and £30 compensation to both the shopkeeper and his wife.