Woman praised for standing up to racist on a bus

Local paper, Newbury Today, reports on the court appearance of a woman charged with racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress after she allegedly attacked a bus passenger who had the courage to challenge her foul-mouthed anti-Muslim, racist tirade.

Tara Elaine King, 35, was overheard by passengers talking loudly to the bus driver in Thatcham, Berkshire praising the English Defence League and making racist remarks about Muslims and other minorities.

Christine Dare, a passenger on the bus asked King to keep her opinions to herself and to moderate her language on account of a young child on the bus. When ignored by King, Dare approached the driver and requested he do something but the driver told her to return to her seat.

When Dare sat down, King approached her seat and allegedly spat on her. The two women got into a tussle with King grabbing Ms Dare’s face and scratching her.

King initially denied the charge but later pleaded guilty to racially aggravated harassment, alarm or distress though she denied spitting on Ms Dare. Two fellow passengers on the bus gave evidence in support of Ms Dare saying they too had been incensed by King’s anti-Muslim and racist remarks.

King was bailed until July 31 as pre-sentence reports are prepared dealing with mitigating circumstances presented, including post traumatic stress disorder.

Magistrates judge Sue Campbell said: “This was a very distressing, offensive and unpleasant incident which took place in public.

“There are many aggravating features all options remain open, including custody.”

The report in Newbury Today follows a report in another local paper last week, the Bristol Post, which noted the failure of passersby to come to the aid of a Muslim teenager who was assaulted in full view of people walking through Bristol City Centre. Yesterday, the Government announced a new Bill designed to give individuals who come to the aid of others in an emergency legal protection.

The  Social Action, Responsibility and Heroism Bill stipulates that “where a person acts heroically, responsibly or for the benefit of others, this will be taken into account by the courts”.