Man fined for anti-Muslim rant at bouncer

The London Evening Standard reports on a court fine imposed on a coffee shop manager who shouted anti-Muslim abuse at a night club bouncer in an incident on 31 January.

Tyrone Mullally, 28, had been drinking at the Piano Bar in the Barbican, central London, when he dropped a glass at the bar and was asked to leave by bouncer Fakret Sabri.

Mullally became abusive and shouted “a barrage of insults” at Sabri calling him a “Muslim c***.”

The Old Bailey heard Mullally had to be “physically restrained,” carried out of the bar and pinned to the floor while waiting for police to arrive. But when outside, Mullally continued abusing Sabri shouting “Why are you pinning me down – is it because I disagree with your religion you f***ing Muslim c**t.”

He told Sabri, “Why don’t you f**k off to where you came from.”

When police arrived, Mullally told them they “had the wrong guy” saying “It’s the Muslims, they want to take over.”

Appearing at the Old Bailey Mullally pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated harassment, alarm and distress.

The court heard his victim felt “degraded” by the incident, and “couldn’t understand why he was being discriminated against”.

Judge Gordon fined Mullally £800, ordered him to pay £300 to Mr Sabri in compensation and £1000 court costs.

Sentencing Mullally, Judge Gordon said: “In the times we now live and have lived since well before January, it’s vitally important that religiously aggravated behaviour, most particularly of an anti-Muslim nature is not indulged in, particularly in a crowded area.

“It’s potentially explosive behaviour.

“I accept for you this was out of character, but it’s worrying that with your inhibitions lowered by alcohol you seem to have had the thoughts that led to language of this nature.

“You say you find it hard to believe you behaved as you clearly did. You need to learn the lesson, in drink you are not the person you normally are.”