Woman who spat at and punched rail worker in ‘disgusting’ racist attack at Euston station is jailed

A woman who spat at and punched a rail worker in a “disgusting” racist attack has been jailed for six months.

Toni Pottle, 29, of no fixed abode, attacked the Network Rail staff member at Euston station after she intervened when Pottle was harassing a passenger on the main concourse.

Pottle was asked to leave the station and she started to racially abuse the worker.

She began walking away but changed her mind, punched the member of staff and spat in her face, claiming “you’re lucky it wasn’t an uppercut, I’m from the endz”.

Police arrested Pottle and she was charged with one count of assault by beating and one count of racially aggravated assault.

The arresting officer, Sergeant Neil McGrath from British Transport Police, said: “Pottle’s behaviour was quite frankly disgusting, her nonsensical racial abuse has no place in our society and I welcome this sentence.

“Thankfully, the victim did not sustain any serious injuries, nevertheless this would have been an extremely frightening experience.

“No one should ever be subject so such nasty and unprovoked violence, least of all for simply doing your job.”

Pottle pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court after the incident, which happened just before 1.15am on Saturday, April 15.

She was convicted of the offences after a trial at the same court earlier this month.

Along with the prison sentence, Pottle was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £115.