London:
A woman who hurled racist abuse at an Asian-origin man on the London Underground is likely to be jailed after admitting her offence. The police had launched an investigation after a video of the incident went viral on the Internet.
The incident occurred on the Central Line between St Paul's and Mile End stations on January 23 when Jacqueline Woodhouse, 42, apparently in an inebriated state, lashed out against fellow passengers with expletives.
Today, at Westminster Magistrates' Court, Ms Woodhouse, of Romford in Essex, admitted causing harassment alarm and distress to the victim, Galbant Singh Juttla, who filmed her.
The video has been viewed more than 200,000 times on the Internet.
Ms Woodhouse is due to be sentenced on May 29.
While abusing other passengers, Ms Woodhouse turned to Mr Juttla, who told her he was British, that he paid more taxes than her, and that she should mind her language.
When Mr Juttla told her to be quiet as she had had too much to drink, she became extremely agitated and started screaming: "It's not your country anyway so what's your problem... It's been overtaken by people like you".
Prosecutor Claire Campbell told the court that Ms Woodhouse then told Mr Juttla: "I hope you are not claiming benefits and I hope you pay your taxes", to which Ms Juttla replied: "I pay more taxes than you, love".
Ms Campbell said that Ms Juttla then pulled the emergency alarm fearing an escalation of events and to enable her to be removed from the train.
The prosecutor said Ms Woodhouse went to the police station following a media campaign.
Ms Woodhouse told the police she could not remember the rant but recognised it was her in the video.
She was reportedly fined following a similar offence on the Docklands Light Railway in December 2008.
Outside the court, Mr Juttla said: "I found it very distressing. I uploaded it to YouTube because I thought that was the fast-track process to catching this person.
"I also needed to show the public that kind of person is out there and not to put up with this kind of behaviour".
He added: "My kids have seen the video and they are disgusted by it. They don't expect someone to shout abuse at their dad."