A DRUNKEN Army wife made a racist remark to a soldier trying to arrange a lift home for her after a St Valentine's dance at Ripon's Claro Barracks, a court heard yesterday.

Nicola Lynskey, prosecuting, said that 41-year-old Linda Murray, wife of a staff sergeant, had upset Sapper Michael Gustave with her behaviour.

The mother-of-four had gone into the guardroom at 7am on February 13 and demanded a lift home. She was told one would be provided, once the duty driver returned.

She then poked Sapper Gustave, who was of Afro-Caribbean extraction, in the face before he heard her say he was ''very black'' and then use the phrase ''black b*****d".

Mrs Lynskey said Sapper Gustave made his own inquiries once Murray, of Ask Bank Road, Ripon, had gone.

He discovered she was married to a staff sergeant and then sought an apology, but did not get one he considered to be satisfactory.

Murray admitted using racially aggravated, threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

Richard Buchanan, mitigating, said the offence was out of character for a woman who seldom went out drinking. He said there had been friendly banter and she had not intended any to give any offence.

She was fined £300 with £70 costs by Harrogate magistrates.