A TEENAGE racist who 'terrorised' an Asian shopkeeper and his staff for more than two years has been sentenced to a year-long rehabilitation order.

The 14-year-old has been banned from going within 100 metres of the Spar Shop in Rothesay Road, Shadsworth, for four years or contacting staff, after he admitted racially abusing them, at Blackburn Magistrates Court.

Peter Wilde, prosecuting, told the court how the youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, targeted shopkeeper Tarsem Singh and worker Shailesh Patel from March 2008 onwards, throwing eggs and damaging the shutters of their store.

He said the boy and a gang on bikes approached Mr Patel when he was sweeping up outside the shop on March 7.

The defendant pulled off the worker's cap and shouted insults at him.

Fearing for his safety Mr Patel fled inside, but the teenager followed, grabbing him and dragging him around the shop.

Mr Singh said the teen had intimidated his staff and customers and caused £150 damage to his shutters.

The court heard that Mr Singh spoke to the boy’s parents but it did not resolve the issue and that he “couldn't take any more abuse”.

The boy was also sentenced for a robbery on January 28 this year.

The court heard he had attacked a 15-year-old boy, pushing him up against a wall and taking £2 from him during an incident in Arron Avenue.

He had denied the offence but was found guilty after a trial.

Mr Wilde said the offences were committed while the teenager was serving a six month order for another assault, when he punched a kettle full of boiling water which fell on his brother, scalding his back.

Roger Pickles, defending, said the boy, who is currently in care, had an “incredibly difficult background” and had been physically abused by his step-father.

He said: “He is deeply ashamed of what he has done and he is extremely sorry.”