Joe Tivnan, 19, (pictured leaving Nottingham Magistrates’ Court) admitted racially abusing another student
A law student has admitted racially abusing a young woman at his university after he was caught on camera hurling ‘disgusting’ racist chants at her.
Joe Tivnan had been taking part in a fellow undergraduate’s birthday celebrations at Nottingham Trent University with around 20 other students on March 5.
But he was recorded by first-year student Rufaro Chisango as he chanted ‘we hate the blacks’ – which distressed her enough for her to move accommodation.
The shocking mobile phone footage was posted on Twitter where it was viewed millions of times.
District Judge Leo Pyle told Tivnan today: ‘Rufaro Chisango was a first year student living away from home for the first time, like you, but unlike you she had just got back from the library.
‘She describes hearing shouting that startled her. This was described as shocking, disgusting, appalling and deeply offensive.
‘Imagine for one moment how Miss Chisango must have felt. Entirely understandably, she felt what was being chanted and shouting was aimed at her. She was rightly offended.
‘You go off to continue your evening, she is too frightened to leave her room. She felt the language used was unacceptable and disgusting, and felt compelled to leave that hall of residence.
‘It is no mitigation that you were in drink. Perhaps in the sober light of this morning, it is evident you are remorseful.’
Joe Tivnan was recorded by first-year student Rufaro Chisango (pictured) as he chanted ‘we hate the blacks’
Lauren Leigh, 19, (pictured leaving court) pleaded not guilty to an offence in connection to the same incident and was granted unconditional bail until her trial on July 19
Tivnan, from Birmingham, admitted using threatening or abusive words which caused distress to Miss Chisango at a hearing at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
He was ordered to pay Miss Chisango £500 compensation as well as £310 in fines and costs.
Opening the case, prosecutor Anna Pierrepont said: ‘It is said that group of students were becoming intoxicated and had become rather noisy.
‘(Miss Chisango) went to her door to see what was happening as she heard something similar to a football chant.
‘She felt very upset and very uncomfortable. She was the only black person living on that floor. She was so distressed she messaged her mother for advice.
‘He is heard chanting, ‘ooh aah, f*** the blacks, ooh aah, f*** the blacks’ and ‘we hate the blacks’.’
In a short victim impact statement read to the court by the prosecution, Miss Chisango said: ‘I feel very distressed by the words and behaviour used by those involved.
‘The entire incident was overwhelming and offensive. Such appalling behaviour will not be tolerated.’
Miss Chisango said she felt ‘very distressed by the words and behaviour used by those involved’
Tivnan told the judge: ‘I wish to make an unreserved apology to anyone who has been affected by my behaviour in this case.
‘It was just mutual repartee between me and a mixed-raced friend. It was still unacceptable language and I am ashamed by my behaviour.
‘I am truly sorry for the distress I have caused.’
Mr Ransell told the court that Tivnan remained suspended by the university, but said that in reality, he had lost his place.
He added: ‘His university place will likely be lost and his hope of a career in law has suffered irreparable damage.’
The defendant’s co-accused, Lauren Leigh, 19, pleaded not guilty to an offence in connection to the same incident and was granted unconditional bail until her trial on July 19.
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