A Rickmansworth man who racially abused a fellow passenger on a London Underground train has been fined £2,000.

Jonathan O’Shea, 29, of High Street, made racist remarks towards a 32-year-old female passenger onboard a Metropolitan line train.

The incident happened on a westbound train travelling from Baker Street station to Eastcote station, between 9.10pm and 9.45pm on Wednesday, July 11 2012.

The victim, 32, of Peckham, took a photo of O’Shea on her mobile phone which was used by British Transport Police to identify him on CCTV and track him through the network.

O’Shea, an accounts manager, denied one count of racially aggravated harassment but was found guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (January 30).

In addition to a £2,000 fine, he was ordered to pay £500 compensation, £650 costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Andy Burns, the investigating officer, said: "This was an intimidating experience that left the victim feeling shocked, humiliated and very upset.

"We take reports of racial abuse extremely seriously and the £2,000 fine shows just how seriously the courts take this sort of behaviour too.

"Anyone who has been a victim of this type of crime should report it to police or tube staff immediately so that it can be investigated.

"We will do everything we can to identify and arrest offenders."

 

  • This information was supplied by British Transport Police (BTP) who would not divulge the exact nature of the comments made by Mr O’Shea, saying only that they related to the victim’s race.