Passengers hit by drunk

09 March 2010

WEST End-bound Tube passengers were delayed when their morning District Line train had to be halted because of a drunken traveller, a court heard.

Student Robert Kabali, 19, from Forest Gate had already racially abused two Tube staff when he boarded the next train.

It had to be held up because staff decided he was unfit to travel and even when Kabali finally got off he continued his abuse.

At one stage, such was his venom; his friends had to hold him back from attacking one female staff member. He was eventually arrested at a bus stop outside Dagenham Heathway station.

At Barking Court he was convicted of causing racially aggravated harassment, alarm and distress the student was fined £100 and ordered to pay his two victims £25 compensation.

Kabali, of Woodgrange Road, caused problems on June 13 at 8.30am.

Investigating British Transport Police officer Tony Shore said after the case that Kabali was challenged by a member of staff on the platform as he was too drunk to travel.

He then hurled racist abuse at the customer service assistant.

"This was an unpleasant and intimidating experience for the members of staff who was merely doing their jobs," said PC Shore. "Vile racist abuse such as this will not be tolerated and wherever possible we will build a case against offenders and see them have their day in court."

Aidan Harris, Manager of London Underground's Workplace Violence Unit, said: "Kabali's behaviour was offensive and reckless. He was a danger to both himself and others and Customer Service Assistant simply trying doing her job.