A drunken homeless woman who hurled racist abuse at takeaway staff claimed she was a police officer - as it said it on her t-shirt, a court heard.

Christine Holleran, 51, yelled at staff to ‘wash their hands’ and ‘go back to their own country’ during the racist outburst at Cals Charcoal Grill in Northwich.

The woman unbuttoned her cardigan and showed her t-shirt claiming she was ‘the police’, moments before the eruption at 6pm on June 6.

Holleran, who has a long history of violent and anti-social behaviour, was banned from the centre of Northwich following the racial attack which took place in front of a five-year-old child.

She is already subject to an ASBO until 2016, banning her from carrying alcohol, but was slammed with a criminal ASBO which means she will need to move from her current home on Birkdale Drive, Northwich.

Last year Holleran, formerly of Ellesmere Port, was cleared of murdering Andrew Mackenzie Nall who was found dead at his Chester flat in August 2012.

Co-accused Gary George was sentenced to a minimum of 30-years behind bars.

The outburst was sparked when Holleran entered the takeaway and heard two members of staff speaking in Turkish behind the counter, Chester Magistrates Court heard.

She told them to speak English, before unbuttoning her cardigan and showing a t-shirt which said police on it and said she was the police, said Rob Youd prosecuting.

“It is not the first time she has behaved this way in the shop. [The complainant's] husband just accepted it as part of the job.”

Holleran swore at staff, who are all Turkish, repeatedly telling them to ‘go back to your own country’ during the outburst, before leaving the takeaway.

The 51-year-old has 34 previous convictions for 57 offences. She is already serving a 12 week prison sentence for breaching the terms of her ASBO.

“She has very little memory of what happened and has said she doesn't recall racist comments,” said Guy Dodd, defending.

Holleran, who appeared by video link, pleaded guilty and apologised for her actions.

She was sentenced to four weeks imprisonment, which will run concurrently to her current jail term.