A PARISH councillor has been convicted of racial harassment after shouting abuse at a woman in the street.

Combe Martin parish councillor Nicolette Tossell, 52, denied the offence but was found guilty by magistrates.

Her husband, Raymond, 58, was also convicted of the same offence.

Barnstaple Magistrates' Court heard that the pair shouted racial abuse at villager Anthea Jane Slade on September 26 last year. Magistrates were told that the incident began when Miss Slade parked her car outside the Tossells home in Bowling Green Lane.

The court heard Cllr Tossell, who was cleaning her windows, shouted: "For goodness sake, that bloody woman has parked her car there again." She then put her head inside Miss Slade's open car window, subjecting her to a lengthy lecture about parking, magistrates were told.

Miss Slade said: "She kept trying to order me about, so I said: 'You don't need to speak to me like that, I'll move my car'. I thought that would be the end of it."

Miss Slade moved her car 25 metres around the corner.

But she said Cllr Tossell continued to pursue her, standing hands on hips, still clutching a pink duster and window-spray, watching her park.

Miss Slade said Mr Tossell appeared and shouted: "F*** off back to where you've come from."

She said Cllr Tossell then turned on her as she continued to remove shopping from her car.

Miss Slade said: "She pointed the window cleaner in my face and said: 'F*** off back to where you've come from'. I said: 'That will be London then' and she said: 'F*** off back there then, there are too many foreigners in this country now. We don't need people like you in this village'."

Miss Slade said: "I did swear back, and I told her she was a toffee-nosed snob. She thinks she's above the law and she's a bully — it was a completely unprovoked attack."

Both Tossells denied racially abusing Miss Slade.

Mr Tossell said he didn't realise Miss Slade was of mixed-race origin and thought she might have a very good suntan.

Nicolette Tossell, who is the manager of Youings toy shop in Barnstaple, was fined £150, ordered to pay £150 court costs, and £15 victim surcharge.

Raymond Tossell was fined £90 and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge.

Cllr Tossell refused to comment about the case, and also refused to comment as to whether she would be resigning from the parish council.

Parish council clerk Michelle Beaumont said: "This level of fine does not disqualify someone from being a parish councillor."

DC Mick Dean of Ilfracombe police said after the hearing: "This is a great result because it sends out a message that this sort of behaviour will not be tolerated, and will be dealt with robustly in Ilfracombe."

Miss Slade said: "I'm just relieved I can get on with my life, and I'd like to thank Ilfracombe police, and in particular DC Dean and Sarah Rottenbury, who have been wonderful."