THE trial of a woman accused of racially abusing passengers on a Croydon tram is set to begin this morning – nearly 18 months after she was charged.
Emma West, 35, was charged with two racially aggravated public order offences after a video of the incident was posted on YouTube in November 2011.
Since then the case has been best by delays. Most recently the case was adjourned in January because an expert who needed to attend was not available.
That was the fourth time the trial had failed to start. Other hearings in June, July and then September of last year had also been put back.
West, of Grenville Road, New Addington, is due to stand trial at Croydon Crown Court this morning (Tuesday).
The YouTube video, called My Tram experience and filmed on a tram travelling between Croydon and Wimbledon, was watched by more than 11 million people after it was uploaded.
Croydon Crown Court has previously heard that West had taken a double dose of medication at the time of the incident which is believed to have occurred on October 18, 2011. Previous trial dates were delayed for further psychiatric reports to be produced.
Follow @gareth_davies09 on Twitter for updates on the case.
