HMO "Black C***" Race Assault Row

Race Assault: Lisa Boni

A drunken HMO resident repeatedly called her neighbour a “black c***” and shoved her against a hallway wall during an ants infestation row, a court heard today.

Lisa Boni, 51, who now lives and works at the White Horse pub, High Street, Beckenham was recorded assaulting and racially abusing the woman.

At Bromley Magistrates Court she pleaded guilty to the racially aggravated assault of Jazmin Beaton at Brandon House, Beckenham Hill Road on August 3, last year.

However, Boni claims she was victimised by her neighbour and was on the receiving end of racist and homophobic abuse that was not caught on camera.

Prosecutor Maureen Edwards told the court Boni returned to the Home of Multiple Occupation at 11pm and according to the victim, appeared drunk.

Earlier that day Ms Beaton had taken photos of the ants infestation around the front door and shared them on the HMO’s WhatsApp social media group.

There was a polite discussion about how to rid the property of the ants and when Boni returned home that evening she asked Ms Beaton for a mop and bucket.

“She became quite rude and aggressive and was heard to say ‘black c***’ on many occasions,” explained the prosecutor.

“Boni was recorded saying: ‘You are the most insulting, disrespectful black c*** I have met in my life.’

“The words ‘black c***’ are used about three times and she also said: ‘I pay rent. You don’t, you black c***.’

“This occurred in the hallway of the communal area and the defendant used her hands to push the complainant in the chest against the wall.

“The complainant felt fear and went back to her room and Boni followed, kicking and banging on the door while shouting a barrage of abuse,” added Ms Edwards.

“She shouted: ‘If you have a backbone come out here and I will knock you out. Go back to where you come from, go back to Peck-nam.’

“Boni specifically said ‘Peck-nam’ instead of ‘Peckham’, comparing the area to Vietnam, due to its reputation for violence and black gang culture.”

When she was questioned by police Boni said Ms Beaton had previously subjected her to racial and homophobic abuse outside and had assaulted her.

She denied using the term ‘Peck-ham’ and insisted she said ‘Peckham’ normally.

The court heard Ms Beaton’s attitude towards Boni changed when she discovered she was gay.

Boni says her former neighbour called her a “white c***”; “a fanny licker” and told her she “needs a black man.”

She maintains she only pushed Ms Beaton because she was “in her face” and cannot believe her choice of words during the row.

Boni has not slept at the HMO since the incident.

The magistrates bailed her until July 14 for a pre-sentence report.