A man has been jailed for 10 months after he racially abused a bus driver in London and violently attacked a betting shop.

Michael Mongan, 39, of Castle Road, Ealing, west London, attacked a Ladbrokes branch in Northolt on 27 July.

While released on bail, he racially abused a bus driver on 7 August – an incident that was widely shared on social media.

At Uxbridge Magistrates’ Court, Judge Ian Comfort described the bus incident as an “appalling racial and religious abuse over a sustained period of time”.

He added: “Your behaviour (occurred) when there was violent disorder in other parts of the country against Muslims and other groups.”
Islamophobic abuse

On 27 July, Mongan repeatedly hit windows with a large stick and racially abused staff while under the influence of alcohol, the court heard.

A member of the public had to restrain him before he was arrested by police.

While in custody, Mongan racially abused a police officer who was driving a van.

In relation to this incident, Mongan pleaded guilty to two counts of racially aggravated behaviour, one charge of criminal damage and one count of causing damage to a police vehicle.

The second incident occurred on 7 August, while he was on bail for the previous offences, after a bus driver refused to let him board as he did not have the money to pay for his journey.

Mongan spat at the bus driver’s cab a number of times while shouting Islamophobic abuse and other threats, the court was told.

His lawyer, Giovanna Fiorentino, said Mongan had claimed a member of the public had offered to pay for his fare but the bus driver refused to let him board.

After the video was posted on social media, Mongan was identified and arrested on Friday.

He was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage.
‘Won’t see a pound’

Mongan was sentenced to:

Six months in custody for racially abusing the bus driver

Four months in custody for each of the two charges of racially aggravated behaviour

Two months for criminal damage to Ladbrokes

One month for criminal damage to a police vehicle and

One month for damaging the cab door of the bus

All charges will run concurrently.

He was also told to pay £500 to the bus driver, £200 to the police officer he racially abused and £200 to a staff member at Ladbrokes.

Mongan bowed his head as the sentence was read out in court and told the judge afterwards: “They won’t see a pound of it from me.”

BBC News