Passenger who yelled at two Muslim women to get off his train because ‘I want to sit down, I’m English’ and said they may bomb the carriage is given a suspended sentence

A passenger who shouted at two Muslim sisters demanding them to get off a train has been given a suspended sentence.
Andrew Thompson told Kalema and Fatema Rahman ‘get the f*** off the train, I want to sit down, I’m English’ on the Tyne and Wear Metro.
The 26-year-old left the sisters shaken and terrified with the racially aggravated verbals.
It was Thompson, however, who was forced off the train after a backlash from angry commuters.
Today, the Tynemouth man appeared at Newcastle Magistrates’ Court and pleaded guilty to racially or religiously aggravating fear of violence.
District Judge Houlden sentenced Thompson to 18 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months.
Kalema, 23, known as Ruhi, was left terrified when he told other passengers she could ‘bomb the train’ as she sat quietly with her sister.
He also ordered him to pay £200 compensation to each victim, a £180 court charge, a £80 victim surcharge and £80 costs. The circus worker has also been ordered to pay £745.
Kalema, 23, known as Ruhi, was left terrified when he told other passengers she could ‘bomb the train’ as she sat quietly with her sister.
In a victim impact statement, she said: ‘This incident has made me scared, it does worry me that if I’m out again and this happens what will actually happen.
‘I’m worried that if this happens to others they will be too afraid to speak out.’
Her sister Fatema added: ‘I’m still shocked by what happened I’m still hesitant. I am not going out by myself at night.
‘It’s left me feeling more aware of what has happened. The support from passengers has left me realising there are good people and hope for the future.’
Fiona Varley, prosecuting, said: ‘Kalema and Fatema are sisters and are British Muslims. At the time they were wearing Hijabs.
‘Mr Thompson got on the train at South Gosforth and went into the same carriage as the sisters.
‘Mr Thompson approached the sisters and said “Get the f*** off the train. I want to sit down, I’m English. Get out of the seat I’m an Englishman”.
‘Passengers in the carriage told him to stop his behaviour.
‘Other passengers were so shocked they told Mr Thompson to get off the train.
‘Mr Thompson got off the train at Four Lane Ends and the sisters remained on the train. Other passengers made sure they were all right.’
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It was Thompson, however, who was forced off the train after a backlash from angry commuters (file photo)
Thompson was arrested and told police he could not remember what had happened in the incident, which took place on November 21, around 4.45pm.
Mark Harrison, defending, told the court: ‘I attended the police station with Mr Thompson.
‘He volunteered himself to the police in the aftermath of what has attracted significant press interest.
‘He spoke with his parents and had a recollection of being ejected from the metro train by people.
‘He contacted the police and attended the station to be interviewed as a volunteer. He was arrested in the custody suite.
‘CCTV shows Mr Thompson at the incident. He is embarrassed and ashamed of his conduct on the day.
‘Mr Thompson does not seek to quarrel with what he said on the Metro.
‘If there’s a positive to be taken from his poor behaviour on the train it’s the response by those on the Metro train. He was approached by males and females a like. He was ejected at the stop.
‘He did not wave his arms around. The comments were the beginning, the middle and the end of the incident.
‘It’s a factor that he was drunk on the day. He had been in a bar watching the football and had far too much to drink.
‘He was making his way home when he got on the Metro. He cannot explain his behaviour.
‘He can do nothing more than apologise in the station and do nothing more than apologise now.’

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District Judge Philip Houlden told Thompson: ‘I take he view that this offence is so serious that is does deserve a custodial sentence.
‘I’m taking that view as it seems to be this this behaviour is in a confined space on the metro and people on the receiving end couldn’t really escape from you.
‘You were in drink which is no excuse in fact it makes things worse rather than better.
‘I’m going to suspend that sentence as it seems to me you entered a guilty plea early that’s one of the things that influenced me.’