Elderly Couple Jailed for Racist Park Tirade

An elderly couple, Fyona Bairstow, 72, and Michael Bairstow, 77, have been sentenced to eight weeks in prison for a racially aggravated assault. The incident, which occurred in Manor Heath Park, Halifax, last August, involved the couple shouting vile racist abuse at a Filipino healthcare worker, Apple Moorhouse. The altercation began when Ms. Moorhouse asked the couple to put their dog on a lead after it barked at her child.

During the confrontation, which was captured on video and went viral, Michael Bairstow told Ms. Moorhouse to 'go back to your dinghy.' Fyona Bairstow made references to slavery and mocked the nurse's English proficiency. Ms. Moorhouse, a British citizen who moved to the UK in 2009, stated she felt scared for her life and now carries a panic button. The couple pleaded guilty to the charges, with magistrates describing their behavior as deeply shameful.