Woman jailed for Reading train tirade
Trisha Clifton abused passengers and a train manager
A woman who subjected passengers and a train manager to an unprovoked tirade of abuse has been jailed for over six months.
49-year-old Trisha Clifton of Firlands in Weybridge, pleaded guilty to religiously aggravated behaviour contrary to section 31(1)(c) and (5) of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998 and being in breach of a Criminal Behaviour Order.
At Reading Magistrates’ Court, the judge sentenced her to 26 weeks in prison.
The court heard how on the evening of 1 April, Clifton was on board a train to Reading.
While being asked for her ticket during the journey, she began taking various items of clothing off and put them down next to two passengers before looking at them and calling them “terrorists”.
She then threatened “don’t make me get my two handguns out” to the train manager.
Clifton continued the barrage of abuse saying “kill all the Muslims” while gesturing as if she was holding a gun.
Officers met the train at Reading railway station and searched Clifton under the firearms act, however, none were found. She was arrested before being conveyed to custody for questioning.
BTP Sergeant James Smith said:
“Clifton’s disgusting and unprovoked actions on the train were completely unacceptable.
“We take incidents of hate crime extremely seriously. Behaviour where someone is targeted because of who they are or made to feel uncomfortable will not be tolerated anywhere on the rail network.
“I am thankful to the courts for the sentenced imposed and hope it gives her time to reflect on her behaviour.
“If you’re a victim of a hate crime, please report it to us by texting 61016 or calling 0800 40 50 40 – no report is too small or trivial, we will always take you seriously.”