A woman caught on video as she racially abused and spat at a pub doorman is set to spend Christmas behind bars after she was jailed for 14 weeks for the “appalling” assault.
Sharna Walker, who went viral on social media in May after the incident in Birmingham’s Broad Street leisure district, was warned at a previous court hearing she was facing an immediate jail term after admitting racially aggravated common assault.
Sharna Walker
West Midlands Police
The 25-year-old had also admitted criminal damage after kicking open an exit door and smashing the glass panel, after she was asked to leave the Figure of Eight Wetherspoons branch during the same incident.
She had already been banned from one of Birmingham’s busiest nightlife districts, following her arrest two days after ranting at doorman Tristan Price outside the pub on May 22.
At a sentencing hearing at Birmingham Magistrates Court’ on Monday, “disgraceful” Walker, of Woodhouse Close, Worcester, was given an immediate term of imprisonment, West Midlands Police said.
She was also ordered to pay Mr Price £500 compensation and given a two-year ban from the pub unless Wetherspoons decided to give her early permission to return to the premises.
Police welcomed the jail term for Walker, who had used racist language at least 10 times during her verbal tirade.
After sentencing, Chief Inspector James Spencer, of West Midlands Police, said: “This was a disgraceful incident and people were understandably disgusted at her actions.
“Our city centre police teams have been working hard with local businesses and the community to make the city a safe and enjoyable place to visit.
“Racist behaviour is completely unacceptable.
“We will robustly investigate crimes of this nature and offenders can expect to be prosecuted.”
Speaking after the hearing, Mike Olley, general manager of Westside BID, which represents businesses and helps to manage security on Birmingham’s so-called ‘golden mile’, said: “We welcome this punishment as it sends a clear message to people coming into Birmingham city centre.
“In short, racist abuse and violence will never be accepted on Westside, and we will always work closely with police to track down any offenders.
“This was no casual remark, which in itself would have been appalling.
“This was a sustained verbal and physical attack on a doorman calmly doing his job.
“This is the correct level of punishment which will hopefully make every person think again before unleashing unwarranted verbal and physical abuse.”
