[A] Barrow man who racially abused a woman on a train, blaming her and her family for the Manchester Arena terror attack, has been fined.
David Blagburn, aged 47, of Vicarage Mount, Walney was handed a community order and fined £535 at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, 14 November, after pleading guilty to racially aggravated harassment following the incident which occurred on Sunday, June 11 this year.
The victim recorded footage of Blagburn subjecting her to a torrent of racial abuse on a train to Manchester, during which he blamed her family for the Arena bombing.
The victim had been travelling from Lancaster to Manchester Piccadilly when she heard Blagburn, who was sitting in the same carriage, making racist remarks to no one in particular.
When she caught eyes with Blagburn, he became increasingly abusive. She responded by challenging him about his behaviour, pointing out that she was offended and felt threatened by his language and remarks. At this, Blagburn became more abusive and continued making racist remarks, this time directly to his victim.
Blagburn eventually left the carriage after a member of the public intervened while his victim was left sobbing. On reaching Manchester Piccadilly station she immediately reported the incident to British Transport Police.
He was arrested after being identified from the video footage taken by the victim which was shared on social media.
Investigating officer PC Adam Heslop said; “Blagburn’s behaviour was offensive and repellent to any right thinking member of society. This kind of abuse is not acceptable and will never be tolerated. Any kind of hate crime is abhorrent and we take all reports extremely seriously. We urge anyone who witnesses behaviour like this or finds themselves victim to it to call us on 0800 40 50 40 or text us discreetly on 61016.”
