A CHARLTON woman has been fined after a “repugnant” racist attack in which she repeatedly punched a woman wearing a burka in Woolwich.

Tracy Davies, 46, shouted racist remarks before launching the unprovoked assault on a 55-year-old Somali woman shopping in Woolwich town centre with her daughter on June 29.

Davies, of Charlton Lane, was ordered to pay a £150 fine, £100 compensation and £105 in costs on October 2 at Bexley Magistrates’ Court for racially aggravated common assault.

There has been a spate of racially aggravated incidents in the area following the murder of soldier Lee Rigby, who was killed near Woolwich Barracks in May.

Superintendent Parm Sandhu, in charge of Greenwich Safer Neighbourhoods, said: “I am satisfied with the result of our investigation and happy that the victim was able to see Davies charged and taken to court.

“Davies’ racist and repugnant remarks were simply triggered by seeing a woman in a burka. June 2013 was a sensitive time for all residents in Woolwich - this attack was completely unprovoked and the result of sheer bigotry.”

Supt Sandhu went on to thank shoppers who came to the rescue of the victim and assisted police with witness statements.

Davies pleaded not guilty to the charge at Bexley Magistrates’ Court on July 17.