‘Disgusted’ schoolgirl speaks out after alleged racist bus tirade
A girl who was the target of an alleged Islamophobic attack on a Sydney bus says she felt “disgusted” as she was targeted on the way home from school.
Omar Yassine, 50, has been accused of hurling racial insults towards the Muslim girl, allegedly calling her a “f---ing terrorist” and an “immigrant dog”, among other things.
Omar Yassine, 50, has been accused of hurling racial insults towards the Muslim girl. 9News
The girl, who was wearing a hijab, told 9News how the alleged attack made her feel.
“He just started going at me, calling me all these kind of things,” the year 8 student said.
“It just made me feel disgusted.”
Yassine went on an angry tirade in court on Wednesday.
He admitted he “hurled a few insults” at the girl, her friends and someone he thought was a teacher, but claimed he had not been an instigator.
“I didn’t threaten or intimidate anyone,” the 50-year-old, who did not want legal representation, said from the Bankstown Local Court dock.
“All I did was raise my phone ... a person alleged I took a photo (of them).
“There were four students hurling threats and abuse at me.”
Yassine appeared in court after being held by police overnight.
The police prosecutor said there was a strong case against Yassine, who the court heard had a 46-page criminal record.
Evidence included a video recorded by the girl on the inner-western Sydney bus that showed Yassine calling her a barrage of names, the prosecutor said.
Passengers and the girl reported the tirade to police after getting off the bus at Strathfield station.
Officers arrested Yassine at a home in nearby Greenacre after the 13-year-old and her mother went public about the incident on Tuesday.
He was charged with stalking and intimidation with intent to cause fear.
In the video, the teen told the man she was born in Australia and reminded him of her young age, but that didn’t stop the alleged abuse.
In court, Yassine repeatedly interrupted the police prosecutor and acting Judge Garry Still.
The 50-year-old said he should be released on bail because he would be able to report to police and was not a risk of committing another serious offence.
Judge Still disagreed.
“This is a vulnerable victim, a 13-year-old on public transport,” the judge said.
“There are a number of matters on your record ... and you are just off a community corrections order.“
Upon being refused bail, Yassine turned his disdain on the judge.
“You’re pre-empting my behaviour ... how did you come up with that conclusion?” Yassine said as he was led off to the cells.
“Good work, Your Honour - bow down to them, mate.“
Member for Strathfield, Jason Yat-Sen Li, said the alleged abuse was unacceptable. Steven Siewert
The abuse allegedly began after the 13-year-old stood up for another girl in a hijab who believed Yassine was taking photos of her without her knowledge.
Islamophobia envoy Aftab Malik told the ABC that perpetrators were increasingly targeting younger victims.
Strathfield state MP Jason Yat-sen Li said he was “horrified and deeply angry” about the incident, while congratulating the teen for speaking up.
“Let me be absolutely clear: Strathfield will not tolerate racist or Islamophobic abuse, particularly when it targets children,” he said.
Yassine was not required to enter a plea and will return to court at a later date.
-Reported with AAP
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