Shipbroker Simpson Spence Young (SSY) has suspended and sent home one of its staff fined after racially abusing a railway worker.
Twenty-five-year-old operations manager Zoe Gladden appeared before Westminster Magistrates’ Court after being stopped for not using a ticket to access a platform.
It is reported that an argument followed during which Gladden, described as an operations manager at SSY, was abusive.
SSY chairman Mark Richardson is on holiday and was unavailable to comment when TradeWinds contacted the company today.
However, an internal statement sent to all staff said: "Simpson Spence Young operates as an ethical company and all staff are expected to operate accordingly and conduct themselves in a professional manner.
“Under no circumstances does the company tolerate racist, discriminatory and/or anti-social behaviour at any time.
“It treats any breach of ethics by anyone in the organisation extremely seriously.
"A recent event regarding a member of support staff in the London office was addressed through our internal processes as soon as the full extent of the matter was brought to the company’s attention.
“The individual concerned has been suspended with immediate effect.”
The incident happened June 28 at Liverpool Street Station, a rail station widely used by employees of shipbroking companies in London.
The court case, widely covered by the popular press with images of Gladden—described also as a model—was said to have been drinking when she clashed with ticket inspector Diana Herban. It was alleged she told Herban to “f… off back to your own country.”
Reports say she had been told to buy a ticket after trying to use her phone to tap through the platform barrier.
Further abusive comments towards Herban are said to have followed.
Lesley Hayes, defending, is reported as saying: "What you hear is one side of the argument…There was some degree of provocation.”
Gladden was said to have been remorseful. The argument had escalated and her client accepted that she used words she shouldn’t have.
The court heard that Gladden cares for her father who is blind and a diabetic.
According to reports, chair of the magistrates bench, Carolyn Johnson, said: "Your position is mitigated because you have shown remorse and you are of previous good character, and we give you full credit for your guilty plea today.We have heard you have learned your lesson.”
Gladden was fined £700 for the harassment and ordered to pay £200 compensation to the victim.
She also admitted a charge of racially aggravated harassment for which she was told to pay a fine and costs amounting to £1,055.
