A COUPLE suffered the constant torment of racial abuse - because they were Scottish, a court heard yesterday.

Stephen and Lorraine Beaton were told by police to keep a log of the abuse they suffered at the hands of their neighbours.

Three women and two men were dealt with at Teesside Crown Court charged with causing racially aggravated fear, or provocation of violence, in High Etherley, near Bishop Auckland, County Durham.

Mrs Beaton said their ordeal began in January last year and she continued to log incidents of abuse. Her husband was called a "Scottish bastard" and told to "go back to where you came from".

She said she was also subjected to abuse when she was sitting in her car and threats were made to petrol bomb the couple's house in The Crescent.

The Beatons have been living in the small community of High Etherley since they moved from Glasgow three years ago.

Their neighbours, who also lived in The Crescent at the time of the abuse, were arrested and charged under the 1998 Crime and Disorder Act for racially abusive remarks and shouting threats to injure.

Kimberley Bell, 20, now of Edgemore Road, Darlington, denied the charges but admitted harassment, and was given a conditional discharge for two years.

Her husband, Thomas Bell, 22, who also pleaded not guilty to the racial charge, admitted using threatening words and behaviour and was fined £200.

Victor Bell, 29, of Zetland Road, Barnard Castle, was fined £200 after admitting to the public order offence.

Sharon Fitzgerald, 23, of The Crescent, was found not guilty of racially aggravated harassment and she was awarded costs.

Judge George Moorhouse said: "It must have caused a great deal of upset and got totally out of hand.

"The people who live in the streets of this land are entitled to their privacy and a peaceful way of living without stupid comments made by the likes of you."