A shop owner says he has been left scared to open after a customer racially abused him in a furious rage.

Shahid Munir was subjected to a verbal attack by Mark Sweet, who believed he had been sold a faulty phone.

Sweet, of Harold Road, Margate, called Mr Munir a "Muslim ****" during the tirade.

He pleaded guilty to racially/religiously aggravated harassment at a hearing at Margate Magistrates' Court.

Police were called to FoneMaster in Northdown Road, Cliftonville, at about 10am on Wednesday, May 30.

Prosecutor Julie Farbrace said: "The victim stated a male was in his shop swearing and shouting at him, calling him a Muslim ****."

"The argument was over a phone sold to the male that appeared to be broken, with the incident lasting about 10 to 15 minutes."

In a victim statement, Mr Munir told how he contributes to society and was now scared to open his business.

He said: "I have lived in England for six years and I love living here.

"I contribute to society by setting up a business and giving back to the economy.

"A man came into my shop and racially abused me when all I wanted to do was help him with his problem.

"The incident has made me afraid to open my shop for fear he will return."

Sweet's defence solicitor said he had become angry about the shop worker's manner, "rather than the colour of his skin".

He added that when Sweet went into the shop, the worker had "just stared him".

He said: "In a 999 call, Mr Sweet is heard in the background shouting 'you sold me a broken phone, give me my money, you ******* stupid little ****, wait until I see you on the street'."

District Judge Barron tagged Sweet on a curfew from 8pm until 6am daily for eight weeks.

He said: "This was an unpleasant incident, even taking out the racial abuse.

"You were still aggressively swearing at the owner.

"For that reason, this is serious enough for a community penalty."

Sweet was also hit with £85 costs and an £85 victim surcharge.