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Man charged after BBC reporter suffers racist abuse Sima Kotecha: Man denies racial abuse of BBC reporter
(about 4 hours later)
A man has been charged after a BBC reporter was subjected to racist abuse as she prepared for a live broadcast. A man has denied racially abusing a BBC reporter as she prepared a broadcast.
Sima Kotecha said she and her team faced "racist and abusive behaviour" while preparing to conduct interviews in Leicester city centre on Sunday. Sima Kotecha said she and her team faced "racist and abusive behaviour" as they set up for live interviews in Leicester city centre on Sunday.
Russell Rawlingson, 50, of Glenfield Road in Leicester, has been charged with threatening and abusive behaviour causing distress. Appearing at Leicester Magistrates' Court by videolink, Russell Rawlingson pleaded not guilty to causing racially aggravated alarm or distress.
He will appear via video-link at Leicester Magistrates' Court later. The 50-year-old, of Glenfield Road in Leicester was bailed to appear at Leicester Crown Court on 15 June.
Ms Kotecha was due to interview people on Sunday evening following the prime minister's statement on the coronavirus lockdown. Ms Kotecha was due to interview people on Sunday evening following the prime minister's statement about the coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
The segment was cancelled and the incident reported to police. The segment was cancelled.
A BBC spokesman said: "While preparing to broadcast, our reporter, her production team and guests were subjected to racist and abusive behaviour.
"We will not tolerate racism or abuse of our staff."
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