Woman convicted of racially aggravated offence

01/05/2012

A woman filmed travelling on a London Underground train committing a racially aggravated offence has pleaded guilty today (1 May) at Westminster Magistrates Court.

42 year old Jacqueline Woodhouse has pleaded guilty to one count of racially aggravated intentional harassment and the Crown Prosecution Service has accepted this plea. No evidence was offered against a charge of racially aggravated assault.

The offence was committed on 23 January 2012 onboard a Central Line train. The incident was filmed by the victim in the case and placed on YouTube.

CPS London lawyer Claire Campbell said:

"Hundreds of thousands of people watched this incident via YouTube and the condemnation of the defendants actions was plain to see.

"There is no place for racism in a democratic society and this robust prosecution by CPS London shows that we will do all we can to bring perpetrators to justice.

"The CPS takes all offences of this kind seriously because they are motivated by discrimination and hate. People from all communities have a legitimate right to expect protection from the prejudice and discrimination that are at the root of hate crime."