A 21-year-old woman launched a racially-motivated attack on a car belonging to a takeaway delivery driver.

Blackburn magistrates heard Jasmine Astin used her knee to damage panels on the vehicle while shouting racist comments.

When the owner drove off she continued shouting racist abuse and even after police had arrested her made racist comments to passers-by.

Astin, of Southwood Drive, Baxenden, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated criminal damage and racially aggravated threatening behaviour. She was bailed for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Catherine Allan, prosecuting, said Hassan Iqbal was taking some food to his car when he saw Astin using racist language to other people. She turned to him and asked if it was his car before using her knee to damage the vehicle.

“She attacked his car because he was Asian,” said Miss Allan.

Mr Iqbal drove off and when he had gone police were called and found Astin stood in the middle of Darwen Street, Blackburn, shouting racist abuse.

Jonathan Taylor, defending, said in the past Astin had been subjected to physical abuse.

“Under the influence of alcohol she has vented her anger at what had gone on previously,” said Mr Taylor. “She accepts the person involved in this incident was a totally innocent victim.”