Olympic construction worker convicted for racial abuse
A construction worker on the Olympic Park has been convicted of racially abusing a member of staff at Stratford International station.
Walter Thomas Squibb, 58, Stavely Court, Hermon Hill, Wanstead, was given a nine month sentence, suspended for 24 months, at Blackfriars Crown Court last Friday (Jan 11) after being found guilty of racially aggravated harassment.
Squibb was also ordered to complete awareness training and pay £900 legal costs.
He was attempting to leave the station with the wrong ticket on the morning of Thursday August 18.
When a Southeastern Trains staff member at the barriers told Squibb that he needed to buy a valid ticket, Squibb “flew into a rage, shouting a torrent of racist abuse” at him, according to Det Const David Stewart, from the British Transport Police, who led the investigation.
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Squibb then climbed over the barriers to leave the station but he was soon identified as a worker on the Olympic site and arrested.
He was charged with causing intentional harassment, alarm and distress which was racially aggravated.
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DC Stewart said: “This was a frightening and intimidating experience for a member of staff who did not deserve to be spoken to in this manner, and I welcome the sentence.
“I hope it serves to reassure both rail staff and the travelling public that British Transport Police will continue to protect them from crimes of racially and religiously aggravated harassment.”
