A woman who screamed racial abuse at a doctor as he walked home from work has been convicted.

Chantelle Smith shouted racial slurs at the man as he walked past her in Darlington town centre on Thursday evening.

The 42-year-old screamed in the man’s face and swore at him, causing him to fear for his safety as he walked past the town clock.

In a victim impact statement, he said: “At the time, I felt sorry for this female and thought she was homeless and sitting in the rain.

"My first thought was to get her a cup of tea to make her feel better, as that is my culture – to help people.

"But then she started calling me a P**i.

“These slurs have made me feel very upset and angry and caused me alarm and distress whilst out in public and I feared for my safety.”

Smith, of Tyne Crescent, Darlington, was arrested at the scene and taken into police custody.

She was charged with using threatening or abusive words or behaviour that was likely to cause harassment, alarm, or distress that was racially aggravated and remanded in custody.

Appearing at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court today (August 10) she pleaded guilty to the offence.

She was released on bail to appear back at court on September 11 for sentencing.

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Chief Inspector Victoria Cubby, of Durham Constabulary, said: “Hate crime in any form has no place in our society and we will not tolerate it.

“I want to send a clear message to anyone who commits these types of offences, that your actions have real consequences.

“If you are found to be committing hate crime or inciting violence towards our communities, you will be dealt with robustly.”