Man who abused Brighton Pride attendees jailed for four years
Ryan Brown was jailed for more than four years on January 10 (British Transport Police)
A man who yelled homophobic and racist abuse at people travelling to Brighton Pride has been sentenced to four years and six months in jail.
Ryan Brown, who was also on his way to Brighton Pride, threatened to “knock a woman out” during his tirade at train passengers on August 5, 2017, according to the British Transport Police.
Brown, 31, from Crawley in West Sussex, reportedly resisted arrest in Brighton and had to be restrained by police officers.
A large number of bags containing MDMA were found in his pocket.
More than 300,000 people gathered to celebrate Brighton Pride—far more than the population of the city (Tristan Fewings/Getty)
Brown was found guilty of causing fear of violence through racially charged and homophobic language and possessing class A drugs with intent to supply, and sentenced at Hove Crown Court on January 10.
He was sentenced at the same time for a separate matter involving affray, assault with intent to resist arrest and criminal damage, which he pleaded guilty to in December.
Police officer praises Brighton Pride attendee for her strength
Detective Constable Imogen Sweeney had some kind words for the subject of Brown’s violent threat, saying: “I would like to thank the victim in this case.”
“She has remained determined to pursue justice throughout this investigation and I have nothing but admiration and praise for her strength.”
— BTP Detective Constable Imogen Sweeney
“She was subjected to a frightening ordeal by Brown, receiving homophobic abuse and witnessing racist abuse.
“She has remained determined to pursue justice throughout this investigation and I have nothing but admiration and praise for her strength,” she continued.
“Brighton Pride celebrates diversity and equality, values that Brown clearly needs education in. I believe this sentence reflects the seriousness and particularly nasty nature of his offending on that day.”
Brighton Pride attendees were also subjected to abuse in 2018
A man was also arrested following the 2018 Brighton Pride after he unleashed a stream of abuse at people on a train from Brighton to London.
In a video of the incident, filmed by journalist Benjamin Butterworth, the abuser could be seen asking: “Why are you so angry ’cause I’m calling you a faggot?”
Passengers told him, “You’re an embarrassment,” and recommended that he “suck s**t and die.”
Butterworth said he was “almost crying” during the torrent of abuse and threats.
“The train carriage was almost totally silent when he got on,” Butterworth recalled.
“Then he started shouting homophobic abuse – he yelled that gay people are paedophiles, ungodly, freaks, failures to their parents.
“Then he said he was going to pull a blade out and stab every gay person on the train.”
