Warning: Strong language – Lloyd Russell and Jason Russell in the notorious video
Two brothers have been banned from the Nottingham tram network after being captured directing a torrent of abuse at passengers in a Facebook video that went viral.
Lloyd Russell, 25, and Jason Russell, 34, were filmed in September hurling insults at a woman for two full minutes on a service in Bulwell.
Tram bosses say they became known early in 2016 for dodging fares and disrupting services with bad behaviour towards tram staff and passengers.
Then the video appeared on the Spotted: Nottingham Facebook page showing one of the brothers ranting, calling a woman a ‘fat b****’, and the other saying “not one old person on this tram can tell me s***” after they were asked to stop swearing.
It caused outrage and disgust and to date has been viewed more than one million times, attracting more than 5,000 comments.
Both were arrested soon after and on Wednesday, December 7, appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ court where they were both sentenced to 26 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and fined £285 and £200 respectively.
They were also both issued with a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order, banning them from travelling on any NET tram throughout the entire network.
Councillor Nicola Heaton, portfolio holder for community safety at Nottingham City Council said: “These brothers caused immense alarm, harassment and distress to passengers. Their level of abuse and threatening behaviour resulted in one of them being charged for common assault, demonstrating the need for their right to travel on board being taken from them.”
City centre neighbourhood policing Inspector Ruby Burrow said: “This pair had continuously threatened and verbally abused staff and innocent members of the public for some time.
“They proved that they are not responsible enough to use the tram service so I am pleased that they have received this ban.
“I would like to thank those who videoed their behaviour and posted it on Facebook, which was a huge help to the investigation.”
An NET spokesman said: “We’re pleased to see that such strong action has been taken against these two individuals for what was clearly unacceptable behaviour.
“The welfare of our customers and staff is our top priority and we maintain a zero-tolerance policy on foul and abusive behaviour anywhere on our network.
“Fortunately, incidents such as this one are very rare, but when we are made aware of them we will always report it to the police and do all we can to assist with their investigations.”
If either of the brothers breaches the ban they risk arrest and being brought back before the court and a possible five-year jail sentence.
