A Watford FC diversity officer screamed: “Go back to your country, you bloody Indians,” while throwing punches at Southall station, during a violent confrontation with railway staff, court heard last week.
John-Jules with Watford FC mascot 'Harry the Hornet' and at court
University graduate Ebonnie-Rose John-Jules, 23, is the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the Championship club’s Community Sports & Education Trust.
She was travelling with friend Naomi Caruana, 23, on May 5, last year when they got into an ugly row with TfL employee Sasha Da Cunha, who was aided by her colleague Tom Kakeeto.
Prosecutor Tom Heslop told City of London Magistrates’ Court it was 6.30pm and Mr Kakeeto had just finished his shift at the Elizabeth Line station and was heading home on his bike.
“He was at the gate when he heard a verbal altercation between the two defendants and his colleague.
“He asked them to be civil and that attracted them towards him.
“Without provocation John-Jules kicks his bike into him and he grabs hold of her, causing John-Jules to fall over.
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| Da Cunha & Kakeeto |
“This all occurs within the concourse of the railway station as the two defendants were coming out of the station.
“They are both attacking him, with the majority of the assault carried out by Caruana, but it did begin with John-Jules.
“Comments were made during this by John-Jules towards Ms Da Cunha, including: “Go back to your country, you bloody Indians.
“She also says: ‘I will not leave the station until I see him bleeding,’ and reference is also made to ‘go back’ and ‘f***ing Indians,’” explained Mr Heslop.
John-Jules had denied the charges for over a year, but on the day of her trial finally pleaded guilty to assaulting Mr Kakeeto, plus a count of racially-aggravated threatening behaviour.
The court heard John-Jules, who graduated from the University of East London with a degree in Sports Physical Education and Development, has a previous conviction in 2022 for threatening behaviour.
She began her full-time role at Watford FC in April, last year, weeks before this offence, after a period employed by Children with Cancer UK as a Sports Events Administrator.
John-Jules, of Towers Road, Southall also obtained a Master’s degree in International Sports Management from the Global Institute of Sport.
Her co-defendant Caruana, of Renaissance Court, Prince Regent Road, Hounslow pleaded guilty to assaulting both Mr Kakeeto and Ms Da Cunha and also damaging the male victim’s EarPods.
She was sentenced to a twelve-month community order, which includes 70 hours community service work up to five days of rehabilitation and must pay a £50 fine.
Caruana was also ordered to pay a total of £120 compensation to Mr Kakeeto; £50 compensation to Ms Da Cunha, plus £85 costs and a £114 victim surcharge.
“It is a group attack, unprovoked and is sustained for approximately forty-four seconds,” Mr Heslop told the court.
“There were some injuries sustained, an injury to Mr Kakeeto’s chin although it is not known which defendant inflicted it, but they were acting in concert.
“The comments seemed to have been directed towards Ms Da Cunha.”
In his victim impact statement Mr Kakeeto said: “During the incident I was scared and fearful. It was a shock to be attacked like that and uncalled for.
“I do not wear my uniform to and from work anymore so I am not recognised and it has knocked my confidence.”
John-Jules was bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on September 11 for a pre-sentence report.
“We are going to keep all sentencing options open, including custody,” bench Chairman Paul Brooks told her.
“You have pleaded guilty to these offences and the most serious one is assault.”
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