Met special PC guilty of race abuse on Croydon train

A Metropolitan Police (Met) special constable has been convicted of launching a racist rant at train staff after being accused of fare-dodging.

Luke Smith, 27, of Wandsworth, was off-duty when he abused the man on the train between Gatwick and East Croydon last October.

He was convicted at Croydon Magistrates' Court of a racially aggravated public order offence.

The Met said such "appalling behaviour will not be tolerated on or off duty".

Smith, who remains suspended, was found not guilty of fare evasion but fined £300 after the public order conviction on Wednesday.

He was ordered to pay prosecution costs of nearly £700 and pay £100 to the victim and £100 to another staff member who was on the train.

Commander Peter Spindler, director of professional standards at the Met, said: "This type of appalling behaviour will not be tolerated on or off duty from any member of our staff.

"We are referring this matter to the misconduct unit for further action against the officer."