A Bridgwater mum-of-five attacked a doorman before launching into a tirade of racist abuse, a court heard.

Marie Fitzsimmons had been in a nightclub in Taunton when her then boyfriend was thrown out, magistrates in Bridgwater were told last Tuesday.

An argument then broke out outside the club and Fitzsimmons, aged 35, “thumped” the bouncer around the right side of his face before running off towards the town centre.

Sedgemoor Magistrates heard how Fitzsimmons then turned round and hurled racist abuse at the doorman, who describes himself as “half cast”.

Fitzsimmons, of King George Avenue, was found guilty of racially aggravated public disorder following a trial in April, having already pleaded guilty to assault.

She had also already pleaded guilty to two unrelated thefts, including stealing cosmetics, clothing and home furnishings, and possession of a cannabis plant.

At Tuesday's hearing, Gareth Needs, defending, said Fitzsimmons had punched the doorman because she believed her ex-boyfriend had been assaulted inside the club.

Mr Needs said Fitzsimmons wanted to find work, but was a single mother caring for five children, aged six to 16.

Magistrates gave her a 12-month supervision order with 230 hours' unpaid work, and ordered her to pay £200 compensation to the doorman.