Woman is arrested after bouncer outside Wetherspoon pub was called N-word and spat at
Woman arrested for ‘spitting at bouncer and calling him N-word outside pub’ is BANNED from Birmingham as she is released on bail
- Police have arrested suspect, 24, in connection with video showing racist rant
- Clip shared online shows woman launching tirade at bouncer in Birmingham
- She was refused entry to a bar by the doorman in the city on Saturday
- Suspect has been released on bail but is banned from entering Birmingham
A 24-year-old woman who was arrested in connection with a video in which a bouncer was spat at and called the N-word has been banned from entering Birmingham while the investigation continues.
West Midlands Police said the suspect from Worcester allegedly used racist language towards a bouncer outside The Figure Of Eight pub in Broad Street, Birmingham, at some time between 10pm and 11.30pm on Saturday.
The woman was originally detained this afternoon after she attended a police station at the force’s request. She has now been released on bail with conditions, including not to enter Birmingham, while detectives gather witness evidence before presenting a file to the CPS, police said in a statement.
Video footage of the shocking incident on the first weekend that pubs and bars could reopen indoors since Christmas was posted to social media and has been widely shared, with more than two million hits so far.
Police said the woman was also being questioned in connection with the racial abuse of another man, also standing near the JD Wetherspoon-run pub at the time, and criminal damage of the premises’ furniture.
In the clip, a woman who has been named as Sharna Walker is seen arguing with pub doorman Tristan Price and trying to shout at one of her friends inside the venue, before she appears to call him a ‘black c***’ and a ‘f****** n*****’.
Mr Price said it was vital that justice was done over the abuse to help try to bring an end to racism. ‘I don’t want to bring trouble to her door but this behaviour needs to be called out,’ he said.
A video of a woman hurling racist abuse at a bouncer in Birmingham City Centre has gone viral
Tristan Price spoke as a video showing the verbal attack outside the Figure of Eight pub in Birmingham’s Broad Street was watched by millions of people
The woman, now named as Sharna Walker (pictured), was refused entry to the Figure of Eight pub in the city centre on Saturday night and was then filmed launching a horrific rant at black bouncer Tristan Price who was working on the door
‘It is completely unacceptable. People have killed themselves because of the racial abuse they suffer, and we can’t be silent about it.’
Tristan, a power lifting champion and machine operative by day, and doorman by night, said he was left shocked and ‘cut up’ by the incident.
The woman, who had been ejected from the pub, was caught on video losing her temper and using racist slurs, including using the N-word.
‘I have had a knife pulled on me while at work, which was pretty shocking. But this was worse, it affected me more because it was so vicious,’ said Tristan, who has been a doorman in the city for just over a year.
‘Too often when we speak up about racism like this it is brushed away but it’s a big issue and we need to talk about it.’
Tristan’s calm and professional response to the abuse has been widely praised.
Despite provocation, he calmly stood his ground until the woman walked away, slinging racist comments at him and spitting in his direction as she did so.
He said he initially did not want to talk about the incident, partly to protect the woman.
‘But then I thought of my three nephews and baby niece, who are just beautiful and I love to bits, and thought it was just not right that they might face experiences like that in future,’ he said.
‘I like to hope that people will not judge me or anyone by the colour of our skin. If someone can say that to me she could equally say that to these beautiful little kids and that is just not acceptable.’
Tristan has twice won British powerlifting titles, competing in the 100kg weight category, and is about to take on his third British championship event. He is also building up a following as a rapper and grime artist in the city.
‘I like to work and keep busy and really enjoy the security work,’ he told BirminghamLive. ‘I have had incidents but use of racist language has not been a regular occurrence.’
The woman was refused entry to bar before launching her tirade in front of shocked onlookers
Tristan said it was vital that justice was done over the abuse to help try to bring an end to racism
Matt Sen, Midlands operations manager for Professional Security, said Tristan had behaved impeccably in the face of severe provocation.
But he said he was appalled it was seen as ‘part of the job’ for his staff to confront racism.
‘He has taken it like a true professional. He is a real gentleman, a lovely guy, and he stayed calm despite the provocation.
Mr Sen, who is responsible for tens of thousands of security operatives across the Midlands, said it was ‘sadly not unusual’ for staff to face abuse.
Professional Security’s chief operating officer, Jason Thorndycraft, said: ‘We are extremely proud of Tristan, who behaved so professionally. He is a true gentleman and quintessential professional, and we are very fortunate to have him on our team.’
Birmingham Police Chief Inspector James Spencer, said: ‘It’s an awful incident and people are understandably disgusted. We said we would prioritise the investigation and that’s now led to the swift arrest of a suspect.
‘Our city centre police teams have been working hard with local businesses to make the city a safe and enjoyable place to visit.
‘Racist behaviour is completely unacceptable and we are taking this report very seriously. We are still in the process of trying to contact the victim and we would urge him to get in touch as soon as possible so we can take a statement.’
Bouncer Tristan Price shared video on social media which has been viewed millions of times
Video footage of the shocking incident, posted to social media, had had more than two million hits after being uploaded at the weekend
The video was met with outrage online with users slamming the woman’s vile behaviour. One user wrote: ‘Disgraceful human being. Well done to the security guard for remaining so calm and professional.’
Another added: ‘She’s clearly intoxicated but that’s no excuse for such vile abuse. Spitting as well? Think that’s classed as assault – doesn’t look too good for her future.’
One user wrote: ‘This makes me sick. To think anyone acts like that is beyond me. Absolute disgrace.’
A profile believed to belong to the woman claimed that she works for Worcester Bosch. In response, Worcester Bosch released a statement regarding the video, stating that they would investigate the incident.
The company has since confirmed the woman in question who has been linked to the video never worked directly for Worcester Bosch.
The statement read: ‘Contrary to social media posts concerning a racist incident, we can confirm the person in question was never directly employed by Worcester Bosch but via our cleaning contractor.
‘The contractors have confirmed that she was dismissed by them on May 17, 2018. Our thoughts are with the victim of this hurtful and very public attack.
‘We are truly saddened at the social media attack directed unfairly at our brand. We can confirm we have zero tolerance for racist behaviour, both within and outside of the workplace.’
The company urged anyone who had linked the woman to the company share their updated statement.
A Wetherspoon spokesman said: ‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable and the woman is barred for life. We will also be pursuing her for criminal damage and passing on the CCTV and bodycam footage to the police.’
Regional manager Heath Curley added: ‘The woman had been in the pub, but we didn’t like her behaviour so she was asked to leave.
‘As she was being escorted outside she knocked over furniture, including chairs. Once outside, the doorman closed the door but the woman began kicking the door and cracked the glass.
‘She then subjected him to racial abuse as can be seen on the video.’
Mr Curley praised Mr Price, who is employed by an outside agency and works regularly on Broad Street, for acting ‘calmly’, describing him as a ‘very nice fellow’.
‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable and this woman will not be welcome in any Wetherspoon’s pubs in the city centre again,’ he added.
