Teen ordered to attend diversity sessions after abusing same-sex couple on bus

23 December 2019, 13:33

Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan were attacked on a bus
Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan were attacked on a bus. Picture: PA

By Megan White

A 15-year-old who abused a same-sex couple with homophobic gestures on a bus has been ordered to attend diversity sessions.

Melania Geymonat and Christine Hannigan were subjected to homophobic slurs by a group of teenagers while on a bus around 2.15am on May 30.

The couple had been on a date when three teenagers aged 15, 16 and 17 surrounded the two women and began asking them intrusive questions such as: "How do you have sex?"

Highbury Corner Youth Court heard the 15-year-old made "degrading gestures" towards the pair.

The 15-year-old handed the eldest teenager coins which he then pelted at the couple, prompting a scuffle between Ms Hannigan and one of the teenagers.

All three admitted using threatening or abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress against the two women shortly before trial.

The couple were attacked on a night bus in north London
The couple were attacked on a night bus in north London. Picture: PA

Appearing at Highbury Corner Youth Court on Monday, the 15-year-old was given a youth referral order of eight months, increased from six due to the homophobic nature of the incident.

A second charge of handling stolen goods, related to Ms Geymonat's bank card, was included in the sentence.

When asked how his actions may have hurt the two women, the 15-year-old replied: "I feel sorry for the victims, it didn't have to escalate like that."

District Judge Nicholas Rimmer handed down the eight month order for the teenager's "disgusting acts".

He said: "The court very strongly disapproves of the sort of behaviour you exhibited in May 30.

"They were in a relationship, they were happy, they were simply enjoying the pleasures of life and being in love.

"They were met with disgusting and degrading behaviour and you should feel thoroughly ashamed of your conduct."

He added the two women were "intimidated and degraded" by the 15-year-old.

He added: "You need the close supervision of the youth offending service to think carefully about your behaviour."

The eight-month referral order will feature work on hate crime and relationships with peers, the judge added.

"This will include diversity sessions which will make you think about hate crime, the protected characteristics and minority groups," District Judge Rimmer added.

The teenager was also sentenced to a ten-day activity requirement which includes 20 hours of community reparation.

He will also be banned from having any contact with the two other teenagers for four months.