Tram rant accused remanded in custody

A WOMAN was remanded in custody yesterday after appearing in court over an alleged racist rant on a tram that was captured on video.

Emma West appeared at Croydon Magistrates’ Court in south London charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

A video allegedly showing the 34-year-old, of New Addington, racially abusing fellow passengers on the busy tram has been viewed more than 11 million times since appearing online on 27 November. She was arrested last Monday after the footage was posted on YouTube.

A bail application was made by West’s solicitor David Ewings, but it was denied by the magistrate Ian McNeal to protect her safety.

She was remanded in custody to appear by videolink for a committal hearing at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on 3 January.