A Carpenders Park man who was caught on film by a Tube passenger having a racist rant at a Japanese woman has been told he could face jail.

Keith Hurdle was videod shouting at the victim and telling her to get off the train because his uncle had died at the hands of the Japanese in the Second World War, a court heard.

The 52-year-old was later arrested after another passenger uploaded the film of the tirade on the Bakerloo Line to YouTube.

Appearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court today, Hurdle, of Harrow Way, admitted racially harassing the Japanese passenger, Mrs Ingram, and harassing another passenger.

Prosecutor, Izolda Switala-Gribbon, said Hurdle was sitting a short distance away from Mrs Ingram when he began shouting at her, claiming she killed his uncle, who died at the River Kwai.

Ms Switala-Gribbon said Hurdle continued to angrily abuse and harangue Mrs Ingram until a member of the public intervened.

She explained that Hurdle then turned on the passenger who was filming him, Mr Ali, and asked him where he came from.

She added: “Mr Ali then reprimanded the defendant saying ‘are you going to start insulting everyone on the train one by one?’.”

When Mr Ali told Hurdle that Mrs Ingram “hadn’t done anything to him”, Hurdle, who said he was ex-parachute regiment serviceman, answered that she had killed his two cousins.

The court heard on the day of the rant Hurdle had a wine bottle with him, which at one point Mr Ali said he feared he was going to be hit with.

Speaking in Hurdle’s defence, Mr O’Reilly said that, when he was shown the footage at Watford Police station, he was “completely aghast at what he said”.

Mr O’Reilly added: “It’s clear he was drinking an exceptional amount of alcohol for a few years now, which no doubt led him to this sort of behaviour.”

Hurdle, who wore a long brown tweed coat over a white shirt and tie with pin-striped brown trousers, spoke only to confirm his name, address, date of birth and to enter his guilty plea.

District Judge, Nicholas Evans, said: “On the face of it, this is a serious matter which would attract a custodial sentence.”

Hurdle was released on bail due to appear back at Westminster Magistrates' Court for sentencing on December 6.