Man jailed for shouting ‘Heil Hitler’ at Jewish family on bus

A man has been jailed for 12 weeks after shouting “one, two, three, Heil Hitler” and “go have a sausage sandwich” to a Jewish family on a London bus.

David Aherne, 54, from Tottenham, boarded the 149 on July 10 and shouted racist taunts at a Jewish couple and their three children near Stamford Hill.

After the victims attempted to stop Aherne from leaving while police were on their way, the man threatened to pull down his own trousers in front of the family, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

Elaine Cousins, senior crown prosecutor, said: “It is hard to believe that crimes like this are still being committed.

“Unfortunately for the victim and his family, the flagrant disregard and respect for other races and religions shown was exposed in the most offensive of displays.

“This was a cruel verbal attack on people simply going about their business. The family were subjected to extremely racist and offensive language during the tirade.”

She added: “Antisemitism has no place in our society and the CPS will prosecute those who carry out hate crimes where there is the evidence to do so.”

Aherne pleaded guilty to one count each of causing racially as well as religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress at Wood Green Crown Court.