An elderly couple who racially abused and assaulted a Filipino nurse in a public park in Halifax have been jailed for eight weeks, following a viral video of the incident.
Michael Bairstow, 77, and his wife Fyona Bairstow, 72, admitted to racially aggravated assault against Apple Moorhouse during a confrontation at Manor Heath Park in August last year.
The altercation began when Moorhouse asked the couple to put their barking dog on a leash. The situation quickly escalated, with the pair hurling racist insults, including telling her to “go back to your dinghy” and “ban the immigrants.”
During the incident, Michael Bairstow was seen in video footage urging his dog to attack the nurse and throwing water at her, while Fyona Bairstow pulled her hair as she attempted to walk away. Michael Bairstow also punched another woman who intervened.
At Bradford Magistrates’ Court, the court described the couple’s behavior as “vile” and “deeply rooted.” Magistrates said the presence of children and the level of aggression warranted immediate custodial sentences.
Both were sentenced to eight weeks in prison and ordered to pay compensation to the victims.
In a statement, Moorhouse said she was “scared for my life” during the attack and now carries a panic button. She added that the ruling sends a clear message that “racism is a crime,” though she also expressed sympathy for the couple.
The case has drawn widespread attention online, highlighting the serious legal consequences of racist abuse in the UK.
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