Bus passenger unleashes 'vile' racist tirade at baby

POLICE are hunting a man who launched a tirade of "vile" racist abuse at a three-month-old baby.

The mother of the baby is said to have been left shocked after the bizarre incident on the number 22 bus as it passed through Leith on Wednesday afternoon.

It is understood the man boarded the bus at Great Junction Street, at around 4.15pm, and almost immediately started acting in an abusive manner to other passengers.

He then turned on the 35-year-old woman and while details about the exact nature of his comments were not revealed by police, it is understood they were racially motivated and directed at the child.

Despite several other passengers intervening and asking the man to stop, he continued to shout abuse at the terrified mother and baby until he left the bus on Leith Walk, near Dalmeny Street.

The mother, who is understood to be white and from Scotland, was then comforted by other passengers and contacted police later that evening.

Officers are now calling on anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward and are also studying CCTV provided by Lothian Buses.

The suspect was described as being white, between 55 and 60 years old, medium build and with short dark greying hair. He was wearing a dark jacket, jeans and trainers.

Sergeant John Brock, who is dealing with the incident, said: "The woman involved is naturally very upset and we are very keen to speak to the other passengers on the bus, in particular the person who spoke to both the suspect and the lady involved in the incident.

"It appears this man was abusive towards other passengers as well, but the level of abuse directed at this woman and her baby was quite extreme."

The incident is very similar to a case reported by the Evening News in September last year, when a Ugandan woman and her toddler were subjected to racist abuse on a number 29 service.

A police spokesman added: "This man's comments are absolutely unacceptable and we are now appealing for anyone who may have been on the bus at the time, and who saw what happened, to get in touch.

"Lothian and Borders Police take all reports of hate crime extremely seriously and would urge anyone who is a victim of this kind of offence to report it."

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