University student sentenced after angry racist rant at Muslim couple

A university student has told the court she launched a racist attack on a Muslim woman because she found her niqab “scary”.

Suong Nguyen, 36, was filmed lashing out at Seema Alamudi and her husband, Ramzy, at Macquarie University in January.

"Who are you? Why you got a mask? Terrorist. You have gun?" Ms Nguyen yelled at the couple, who were sitting in their car at the time.

The abuse ran for almost two minutes, in which Nguyen also damaged the pair’s vehicle.

She pleaded guilty to intimidation and reckless damage following the incident.

Ahead of sentencing at Burwood Local Court today, Nguyen ran away from 9News cameras and refused to answer questions.

Magistrate Suzanne Seagrave told the court Nguyen's outburst was triggered by Mrs Alamudi’s niqab.

It was something the offender "immediately resented and was angered by", the court heard.

"It was a gross over reaction...Driven by prejudice", Magistrate Seagrave told the court, adding there was "no provocation whatsoever from either of the victims."

Nguyen's defence lawyer argued that day his client "was scared”.

“It was out of character.. she knows she did the wrong thing...she's sorry," the lawyer said.

He pleaded with the magistrate to “go easy” when sentencing, telling the court after the incident Nguyen's life had fallen apart.

Not only was she banned from the university campus where she's a full time student, the court heard she's also been constantly hounded after the video clip went viral.

The video amassed 1.6 million views in just four days.

Despite the video, prosecutor Ernest Chan argued it was an attack "motivated by hatred" and that the victims "should have never been subjected to what they were subjected to".

Mr Chan added that it was particularly distressing for Mrs Alamudi,  who was four months pregnant at the time.

Nguyen was handed a two year good behaviour bond, ordered to pay $1500 in compensation and will undergo anger management.

Outside court, Mr and Mrs Alamudi told reporters they were “happy” with the outcome.