London man pleads guilty to racially abusing, spitting at Muslim bus driver

By Burak Bir

LONDON (AA) — A man who racially abused and spat at a Muslim bus driver in London has been convicted after pleading guilty for his actions, the Metropolitan Police said on Saturday.

In footage that went viral on social media Thursday, the man is seen spitting at the driver and hurling Islamophobic slurs, repeatedly yelling "Muslim terrorist" and using expletives. He also insisted the driver get off the bus, while hitting his protective screen.

In a statement on Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said the suspect was identified by the officers as 39-year-old Michael Mongan.

"Mongan was quickly identified and arrested on Friday, 9 August. He was charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage," said the statement.

Mongan, from Ealing, West London, pleaded guilty to both charges at Uxbridge Magistrates' Court on Saturday, it added.

He was remanded in custody for sentencing at the same court on Tuesday, 13 August.

"I hope the fast response from our officers sends a clear message that we will act to hold those who behave in this way to account," Detective Inspector Jonathan Potter, of the Roads and Transport Policing Command, said in the statement.

"I'm glad Mongan has been swiftly brought to justice and will now face the consequences of his actions," he added.

The incident took place at a time when the UK has been in turmoil for days, with violent far-right rioters spewing racist and Islamophobic vitriol targeting Muslims, minority groups, and immigrants.

The riots were fueled by false claims spread online that the suspect arrested for the July 29 fatal stabbing of three children in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Authorities have since identified the attacker as Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old teenager born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents, but this has done little to deter far-right mobs.

As of Aug. 8, a total of 483 people have been arrested, while 149 charges have been filed in connection with riots in towns and cities across England.