Woman sentenced for racially aggravated abuse after city centre rally

A 65-year-old woman from Lemington has been sentenced for racially aggravated threatening behaviour after shouting “go back to your country” at a man following a pro-refugee rally at Grey’s Monument.

Barbara May, who had been drinking, confronted the man and others near the protest, aggressively repeating racist remarks and getting into the victim’s personal space.

Newcastle Crown Court heard she has no previous convictions, suffers from mental health issues, and showed remorse.

She was given a nine-month community order with a mental health treatment requirement.