A driver filmed screaming at BBC presenter Jeremy Vine as he was cycling on a narrow road has been convicted of road rage offences.
Shanique Syrena Pearson screamed abuse, threatened to knock him out and made a gun sign at Vine in the row on August 26 2016, in Kensington, west London.
The 22-year-old was found guilty at Hammersmith Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday of driving without reasonable consideration for other road users and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.
Judge noted Jeremy Vine’s cycling was perfectly appropriate, and he had every right to be in the middle of the road
— Tristan Kirk (@kirkkorner) February 1, 2017
District Judge Timothy King said he found Vine, who did not attend the hearing, to be a “credible, truthful and reliable” witness who had not exaggerated his account of what happened.
“His manner of cycling was perfectly appropriate for the conditions,” he added.
He said it was reasonable that the TV star feared for his safety after Pearson threatened him and formed a weapon with her fingers cocked at his head.
Pearson, who has a number of previous convictions including assaults and theft, rolled her eyes and shook her head as the decision was announced.
She may face prison as the fresh offences were committed while she was subject to a suspended sentence.
Judge King said: “The court will decide whether the suspended sentence imposed should be activated in whole or in part.”
The single mother left court with a jacket over her head and told the press outside: “I’m not happy.”
Her defence lawyer, James O’Keeffe, said she has been vilified on social media after Vine posted the video online.
“He wanted that person to be punished, not just in court but on the internet and in the media, and she has been,” he added.
“She has been racially abused and suffered substantially because of that judgement by Mr Vine, someone prominent in the media, and he has had his 50 million hits.”
He previously said Vine had “racially stereotyped her as a black person”.
The spat was captured by the 51-year-old Crimewatch presenter on his helmet camera during the ride from his home in Chiswick, west London, to BBC offices near Oxford Circus.
Pearson, of Vauxhall, south west London, previously admitted driving an unlicensed vehicle on the day of the incident.
She was released on bail and will be sentenced at Isleworth Crown Court at a date yet to be set.
