A TEENAGER racially abused two women who worked in a Chinese takeaway, a court heard yesterday.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, admitted using racially aggravated threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour towards workers in a Chinese takeaway shop in Darlington.

Darlington Youth Court heard how four male and five female youths entered the shop on February 21, were loud and rowdy, and subjected staff to verbal abuse and gestures.

The court heard that the accused and other members of the group mimicked the accents and language of the Chinese staff.

The bench was shown video evidence of the incident. Hari Jandoo, prosecuting, said: "To describe the incident as an ordeal would be an understatement."

Graham Hunsley, in mitigation, said that the while the defendant accepted the offence was racially aggravated in terms of how it was perceived by the victims, he was not racist and had not intended his behaviour to be racially insulting.

He told the court: "He would not judge anyone by their nationality, the colour of their skin or anything else."

He said a lot of the behaviour in the shop, although immature and unpleasant, was horseplay between the youths.

Mr Hunsley said: "Had it been run by people born and bred in Darlington with European features, I think we would still get the same level of behaviour."

The defendant said: "I am ashamed of myself. It was childish."

Bench chairwoman Aileen Little said: "I think it would be right to say that this bench was appalled by the video. It was a shameful event."

The defendant was ordered to pay costs of £55, as well as £150 compensation to each of the women in the shop. He was also given a 12-month referral order.