A MAN racially abused a shopkeeper and his wife after storming into their store demanding to know why he had been barred.

Blackburn magistrates heard Reece Austin Renton overturned a display stand causing £150 worth of damage as he ranted at the owners.

Renton, 26, of Padgate Place, Burnley, pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment and racially aggravated criminal damage.

He was sentenced to a curfew between 7pm and 7am for four weeks and ordered to pay £200 compensation and £85 costs.

Tracy Yates, prosecuting, said Dhansukh Patel was in the living quarters behind the West End convenience store in Howard Avenue, Burnley. when he heard a man shouting at his wife who was serving customers.

He went into the shop and Renton, who was a regular customer, was demanding to know why he had been barred and was threatening to smash the shop up.

He made racist comments before throwing over a confectionary display stand.

He then said; "Just because I am a different colour, don't speak to me like that, I'm sick of attitude."

Daniel Frazer, defending, said in the past his client had got into trouble because he had hung around with the wrong people.

"He can't blame anyone for this incident but himself," said Mr Frazer.

"He has been out of trouble for three years and seemed to have matured a lot."

Mr Frazer said Renton had been told he was barred and became frustrated because he didn't know why.

"He wishes to apologise to Mr Patel and his wife," said Mr Frazer.