A former X Factor finalist was caught shoplifting and told the shop assistant to 'go back to Africa' when she was confronted, a court heard.
Rachel Hylton, who reached the final six in 2008, grabbed the man's neck and poked another worker in the face before throwing a shopping basket.
The 37-year-old pleaded guilty to stealing £26 worth of food at Croydon Magistrates Court today.
She also plead guilty to assaulting Peter Njoku, using racially aggravated threatening behaviour and assaulting Abigail Kelly.
Prosecutor Rahab Njoroge told the court that Mr Njoku had spotted Rachel putting items into her bag without paying and confronted her.
He said: “With the help of a colleague they brought the defendant back into the shop and the defendant was very aggressive.
"She grabbed the bag she was carrying and there was a struggle and the defendant was shouting: 'He's a f***ing African. You f***ing black man. Go back to Africa.'
"She threw a shopping basket towards Mr. Njoku and he managed to move away from it and it did not hit him.
"She was still shouting at Mr. Njoku and she grabbed hold of his neck and was removed by other members of staff.
"She continued to be abusive and eventually her shopping bag was removed from her and the items recovered."
Rachel then poked Ms Kelly in the face when she wanted to get her bag back, the court heard.
Mr Njoroge added: "She admitted shoplifting and throwing the basket, but denied having her hands around Mr. Njoku’s neck."
Rachel was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment in June, 2017 for possessing a knife.
District Judge Susan Holdman deferred her sentence until January 31 because she's been offered 15 weeks of residential drugs rehab
The judge said: "It is really important to keep out of trouble."
