A BURNHAM trader has spoken of her shock after being subjected to racist abuse from a customer.

Monika Morris, who is Austrian, said it was the first time she had experienced such abuse in her 24 years in the country.

Mrs Morris, co-owner of GW Hurley toyshop, in High Street, was on the receiving end of abuse from 24-year-old woman Ashley Sullivan, after she was refused a refund for toys she claimed were faulty.

Sullivan, of Church Street, Highbridge, was sentenced at Sedgemoor Magistrates’ Court on Monday, having earlier pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment.

The court heard Sullivan swore at Mrs Morris and called her a foreigner.

She was given a one-year conditional discharge, and ordered to pay £85 costs, plus £25 compensation to Mrs Morris.

Mrs Morris said: “It’s the first time I’ve come across racial abuse. The whole incident was very unpleasant and it did surprise me.

“People usually associate it [racism] with a different skin colour, but any kind of racism is to be taken seriously.

“She caused a lot of upset and I would like to give her a life ban as I don’t want her anywhere near my staff.

“At the end of the day, we have to stand up for what’s right. Nobody is entitled to call anybody names. But I think some justice has been done as she’s been charged and sentenced.”

Mrs Morris said she would give the compensation money to charity.