Heywood woman accused of racially abusing taxi driver after New Zealand terror attacks has case dismissed

A woman from Heywood who was accused of racially abusing a taxi driver in Rochdale has had her case dismissed by Manchester magistrates.

Natalie Rudman, 34, had been charged with racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress after police were called to Queensway earlier this year to reports of a taxi driver being abused and threatened, referring to the then-recent terrorist attacks in New Zealand.

• www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/126697/arrests-after-taxi-driver-threatened-in-rochdale

Police were called on Sunday 17 March to claims a taxi driver's passengers referred to the attacks while threatening and abusing him, just two days after 49 people were killed in two shootings at two mosques in Christchurch.

The case against Ms Rudman was dismissed by Manchester Magistrates.

Sean Allen, 33, from Collyhurst, was found guilty of racially or religiously aggravated intentional harassment, alarm or distress and he has been ordered to pay £100 compensation to his victim plus £320 in court costs, and to serve a community order with a six-week curfew.

He must also pay an £85 victim surcharge.