Anti-Semitic bus abuser sentenced to 20 weeks in jail

A man who shouted anti-Semitic abuse on the 102 bus in Golders Green in September has been sentenced to 20 weeks in jail after a judge said he had used “grossly offensive and threatening language”. 

Ian Campbell, 42, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing after screaming “burn the bus” and “the Jews” and shouting “Get the Jews off the bus, all they do is f*** us”. As he got off the bus he yelled: “Long live Palestine, long live Gaza.”

The bus driver then allowed Campbell back on the bus, when the incident was reported to police by a Jewish Chronicle journalist onboard. Officers later identified Campbell through CCTV images, and arrested him at his home on 25 September.

He admitted charges of racially aggravated harassment, using threatening words or behaviour and breaching a conditional discharge at Hendon Magistrates’ Court on October 10.

The vile outburst in front of women and children, led to District judge Mark Jabbitt imposing the five-month custodial sentence at Hendon Magistrates’ Court.

“The 102 bus is a popular bus with many Jewish people, including children,” said the judge. “Many Jewish people live in that area and you plainly knew that.”

He added: “You used grossly abusive and offensive language. You clearly caused alarm and distress and regrettably I don’t think this conduct is particularly unusual.”

Before he was sentenced to 20 weeks in prison, the court heard how Campbell suffered from drug, alcohol and mental health problems. He told police Mel Gibson’s film ‘The Passion of the Christ’ that “changed his views on Jews”.