Two foul-mouthed brothers filmed threatening passengers and appearing to smoke a cannabis joint have been banned from using a city’s tram for two years.
Lloyd Russell, 25, and sibling Jason, 34, hurled a bottle of water over a woman who told them to watch their language before telling another passenger to “shut your f***ing mouth”.
Shocking footage of the disgusting tirade on September 2 was viewed over a million times online and helped police identify the pair.
Nottingham Magistrates’ Court heard the yobs had been booted off trams in the city on two other occasions in June for not having tickets.
Yesterday (Mon) the thugs, of no fixed abode, admitted antisocial behaviour and repeated non-payment of fairs.
They were banned from all NET trams and handed a two-year criminal behaviour order.
Lloyd was also fined £285 and Jason £200, but they walked free after being handed 26 weeks in prison suspended for 12 months.
On September 2 the brothers boarded the tram in Bulwell, Nottingham and threatened passengers before soaking a woman with water as she left the carriage.
Footage shot by one bystander moments later shows one of the lowlifes scream at a lady: “Shut your f***ing mouth. You stupid fat b***.”
When she bravely responds, “I don’t care what you say about me,” the brothers mock her before one says: “I can say what I like about old people.
“Old people have lived their whole life, they ain’t got no right to open their mouth to youngers.
“We can say what the f*** we want to say you fat f***.”
One of them then appears to light a joint, saing: “I’m going to smoke my spliff,” before leaving the tram.
NET said the pair became an increasing concern for their repeated non-payment of fairs, behaviour towards staff and impact on other passengers.
Councillor Heaton, Portfolio holder for Community Safety, said: “Passengers and staff on public transport rightly expect not to be subjected to antisocial behaviour and so this is an excellent outcome that offers them protection from further incidents.
“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.
“I would also like to thank our partners – Community Protection and the NET tram network for working with us to successfully identify the brothers and for assisting with their conviction.
“We hope this sends the message out that irresponsible, rude and violent behaviour will not be tolerated on our public transport services.”
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 the brothers board an NET tram they can be jailed for up to five years.
