Dean Arnold (19), of Severn Road, became angry after an altercation on April 5 at Acacia Stores in Acacia Avenue, Spalding, when he was asked by the Asian owners about the charity box which had disappeared the day before.

They believed a friend of Arnold may have taken the box, Spalding magistrates heard on Thursday.

He denied any knowledge of the incident and left the store, while hurling racial abuse at staff, including the owner and his wife.

The incident spilled over outside the shop and another customer arrived and called the police.

Arnold admitted racially aggravated disorderly behaviour.

The court heard how he claimed in a police statement that he became angry because he thought he was being provoked and the racist remarks had only come out in anger.

Mr Michael Alexander, defending, said Arnold had been going to the shop since he was very young and had no axe to grind.

He told magistrates Arnold's behaviour had come out of the accusation of theft and had nothing to do with the colour of the shopkeepers' skin.

Arnold was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 costs.