A Walton woman racially abused a parking attendant at Kingston Hospital after she was told to move her car from a prohibited area.

Janet Moore, 44, of Pankhurst Road, pleaded guilty to using threatening and abusive language which was racially aggravated, at Kingston Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Maureen Spencer, prosecuting, said Moore was asked to wait for another parking space after entering a no parking zone by the attendant on June 26.

Moore then said to the attendant: "Gordon Brown - he is Prime Minister, he is going to help English people and going to get Pakis out."

Mr Spooner, defending, said Moore and her daughter were anxious about running late for an appointment and some "banter" had ensued when they were challenged by the attendant.

He said: "My client never intended for the words to be insulting.

"That was certainly not her intention and was something said in a throwaway manner - not with any malice. She is not a racist."

Magistrate Mrs Hopkins, said: "When someone goes to hospital they are stressed but making remarks such as these to people is not acceptable.

Moore was given a 12-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim and £100 costs.