This is the shocking moment a racist thug spits at a bus driver, calling him a “Muslim terrorist bastard” after he was denied boarding because he couldn’t afford his fare.
Michael Mongan, 39, was caught on camera shouting at the driver and punching the protective screen around his seat at 12.25pm on Wednesday in west London.
In the video, which has been viewed more than five million times on social media, Mongan is seen spitting on the screen twice and repeatedly calling the driver a “Muslim terrorist bastard” and challenging him to “get off the bus”.
The driver remains behind the screen, but in the video he can be seen challenging Mongan by shouting “come on” and beckoning him towards the screen.
Mongan was quickly identified by Met officers and charged with a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage.
Michael Mongan, 39, was caught on camera shouting at the driver and punching the protective screen around his seat at 12.25pm on Wednesday in west London
The driver remains behind the screen, but can be seen in the video challenging Mongan by shouting “come on” and beckoning him towards the screen
Mongan, of Castle Road, Ealing, pleaded guilty to a racially aggravated public order offence and criminal damage at Uxbridge Crown Court on Saturday, August 10
He pleaded guilty to both charges at Uxbridge Crown Court on Saturday, August 10. He will remain in custody until he is sentenced at the same court on Tuesday.
The 52-second video opens with the pay dispute between Mongan and the driver already in full swing on Coldharbour Lane in the Hayes district of London.
Mongan, of Castle Road, Ealing, can be seen shouting abuse at the driver, punching the protective screen surrounding the driver and spitting at him.
The driver shouts back at Mongan: ‘There are Muslims everywhere. F****** idiot.’
Mongan responds by yelling at the driver again to get off the bus. He yells, “Get off the bus, Muslim bastard, get off here, come here, act like a big boss and come here.”
In the video, a peacemaker can be heard talking to the driver, trying to calm him down, saying, “Brother, please, brother, leave him alone, brother, please.”
Mongan, of Castle Road, Ealing, is seen swearing at the driver, punching the protective screen surrounding the driver and spitting at him
After video of the incident was widely shared on social media, Mongan was quickly identified and arrested on Friday, August 9.
Detective Constable Jonathan Potter, of Roads and Transport Police, said: ‘The bus driver who was racially abused and spat at by Michael Mongan was simply doing his job.
‘He and all other staff working on London’s public transport network have the right to do so safely, without unacceptable threats and intimidation.
“I hope the swift response from our officers sends a clear message that we will take action to hold those who behave in this way accountable.
“I am pleased that Mongan was brought to justice quickly and is now facing the consequences of his actions.”