A VULNERABLE 20-year-old woman who was given a final chance by magistrates after they heard how she had been the target of sexual predators is behind bars.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jasmine Astin shouted racist abuse at an Asian couple less than two days after she was handed a suspended prison sentence.

Jailing her for a total of 32 weeks, the magistrates said it was sad that she was before the court so soon but inevitable that she would go to prison.

“The suspended prison sentence was imposed for similar offences to those before the court today,” said the Chairman. “The victims this time were in there own home minding their own business when you came along.”

Astin, of the Partnership Project, East Park Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to using racially aggravated threatening behaviour towards Shirin Patel and Makbul Patel.

Philippa White, prosecuting, said Mrs Patel was in her front room and her husband was upstairs in bed when they heard shouting outside their home on Shear Brow.

When they went to the door Astin shouted racist comments at them which they found very upsetting.

“The other girl was telling her to calm down and apologise but she refused,” said Mrs White. “Mr Patel asked why she had said what she did to his wife and she said she could do what she wanted.”

Andrew Church-Taylor, defending, said Astin had been targeted by young Asian males who plied her with drink and drugs in return for sexual favours.

“She describes horrendous situations where as many as four men got in a car with her and abused her simply because they have provided her with drink,” said Mr Church-Taylor. “The ethnicity of these men isn’t important. They are criminals, but to her it does matter and they are young Asian males. That is what is behind these recent offences." 

Mr Church-Taylor said a young Asian male had made derogatory remarks to her Astin and her reaction had been a ‘gut’ one.