An investigation has been launched after a Royal Mail worker was filmed launching a foul-mouthed tirade at a young disabled mother on a bus in Edinburgh.
Incident Details
Jennifer Rain, 22, a chef living in the Scottish capital, says she was left terrified after the uniformed man verbally assaulted her because she had forgotten her disabled bus pass. The incident occurred on Tuesday, June 30, around 8:20 am on a Lothian bus near Haymarket.
According to Rain, the bus driver kindly allowed her to board for free after she explained she had lost her travel card. However, a male passenger, who was later identified as a Royal Mail worker, immediately began shouting at her.
Verbal Assault Caught on Camera
Rain began recording the encounter on her phone as the man swore repeatedly and demanded she stop filming. In the footage, he shouts: "You're a f*****g idiot. If you've not got the money to pay for it, you get on with life. The bus driver has let you on without paying and that's wrong."
The man then gets up and approaches her, saying: "Put your f*****g phone down. You've never had a slap in your life. You've had an easy life unlike other people. I'm telling you now, you're a c**t. Show me your phone and delete what you have."
Rain pleads: "No, leave me alone." The bus driver intervenes, shouting: "Buddy, cool your jets or you'll be getting off. I don't need this in the morning." Despite this, the man continues berating her, saying: "That's what people do nowadays, they take advantage of things. Keep your mouth shut now. I've paid for my bus fare and you have got on without even paying. I'm an angry old white Scottish man."
Impact on Victim
Rain said she was frozen with fear throughout the ordeal. "I was so scared because of how aggressive he was that I brought my phone out to video him. All because a bus driver let me off with a £2 ticket. I was terrified and frozen to the seat in fear. In my mind I was begging, 'Please don't hit me'. It's the craziest thing that's ever happened to me."
She added: "I can't believe someone would target a disabled person all because they were let on the bus for free after a mistake. I have a two-year-old child. I'm just glad they weren't there to experience it. This needs to be taken seriously because we can't have someone dealing with the public on a regular basis being so threatening to someone with a disability."
Investigation Underway
Police Scotland and Royal Mail are both investigating the incident. A Royal Mail spokesperson said: "We have seen the video and are taking this matter very seriously. The behaviour shown is unacceptable and falls well below the standards we expect from anyone representing Royal Mail. We are looking into the incident and will support Police Scotland with their investigation."
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Around 8.20am on Tuesday, 30 June, we received a report of abusive behaviour on a bus near Waverley in Edinburgh. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances."
