A woman broke down in the dock today as a video allegedly showing her racially abusing fellow passengers on a busy London tram was played out to a courtroom.
Emma West (34), appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.
She bowed her head and sobbed as the three magistrates watched the footage, which has now been seen more than 11 million times online.
After the foul-mouthed video was played to the packed court, the court clerk asked Ms West, of New Addington, how she wanted to plead. “Not guilty,” she said.
Wearing a blue blouse and a black cardigan, she wiped tears from her face during the hearing.
For most of the time the video was played, about two minutes and 20 seconds, she was doubled over, out of sight from the public gallery.
Friends and family gathered to give her support.
The hearing was adjourned to give time for Ms West to prepare reasons for her not guilty plea.
She was remanded in custody.
Ms West was arrested last Monday after the footage was posted on YouTube and was remanded in custody at Croydon Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday.