AN IRVINE woman admitted a racist assault in an Irvine shop while high on blues. Rachel Hood, 38, admitted behaving in a racially-aggravated manner and assault in Irvine’s Thornhouse Stores on May 11 last year. The Clark Drive resident lashed out in the Thornhouse Avenue shop by shouting, swearing uttering threats of violence – after Hood denied an accusation of shoplifting. She also challenged people to fight and uttered racist remarks towards a woman in the shop before seizing her by the hair and pulling it. When she returned to Kilmarnock Sheriff Court for sentencing last week [Tuesday, February 9], defence solicitor Peter Murray said his client was unemployed, on benefits and was taking Valium at the time after a family bereavement.