menu
In The South

Man jailed for abusing Brighton Pride reveller in 2017

Besi Besemar January 18, 2019

A man who subjected revellers heading to Brighton Pride of racist and homophobic abuse is jailed for more than four years.

RYAN Brown who was heading to Pride himself threatened to “knock a woman out” while shouting racist and homophobic terms at train passengers.

The 31-year-old from Hastings Road in Crawley, West Sussex, resisted arrest at Brighton and had to be restrained by British Transport Police officers.

In his pocket he was carrying a large number of small bags containing MDMA.

The incident happened shortly after 5pm on Saturday, August 5, 2017.

He was found guilty at Hove Crown Court on Thursday 10, of possessing class A drugs with intent to supply and causing fear of violence through racially charged and homophobic language.

Brown was also sentenced at the same time for a separate matter which included affray, criminal damage, and assault with intent to resist arrest which he pleaded guilty to in December 2018.

He was jailed for four years.

British Transport Police DC Imogen Sweeney said: “I would like to thank the victim in this case. She was subjected to a frightening ordeal by Brown, receiving homophobic abuse and witnessing racist abuse. 

“She has remained determined to pursue justice throughout this investigation and I have nothing but admiration and praise for her strength.

“Brighton Pride celebrates diversity and equality, values that Brown clearly needs education in. I believe this sentence reflects the seriousness and particularly nasty nature of his offending on that day.”

X