Man fined for racially abusing family at Preston Railway Station

Another view of the refurbished platform at Preston Station — Platform at Preston Station

A racist has been fined for verbally abusing a family at Preston Railway Station.

Keith Harrison, 50, of Park Road in Wigan, told a family to get off a bench because it was ‘only for English people’.

The incident, which took place around 2.30pm on Saturday 23 September 2017, involved a couple and their young daughter.

The family told Harrison they were English, he then racially abused them and tried to make them move from the bench.

Nearby rail staff were alerted to what was happening and British Transport Police arrested Harrison at the station.

He denied the offence and was found guilty of racially aggravated harassment on 8 December by Chorley Magistrates and fined a total of £1,033.

PC Gavin Daw, said: “This is an example of the intolerant and unacceptable behaviour that we sadly still sometimes see in our society today, but a great example to show how the justice system will support victims of hate crime and deal with offenders.

“There is no place for this sort of behaviour on the railway network and British Transport Police will work tirelessly to ensure that we play our part in protecting all of our passengers and service users, whatever their ethnicity, nationality or religion.”