A MAN who racially abused and spat at a passenger in a lift at Edgware Road tube station has been given a five-month suspended jail sentence.

A 63-year-old white man from Cheshire was waiting to get into the lift at about 3.20pm on November 18 last year when he heard Mohammed Yusef Jama, 32, making racist comments.

Once in the lift, Jama directed his racist abuse towards the victim before pushing him and spitting at him. He then fled the station when the lift reached street level.

A spit sample was taken from the victim’s jacket which matched DNA on the national database and Jama was also shown CCTV footage placing him at the scene of the incident.

British Transport Police Detective Constable Steve Ajayi said: “Jama’s behaviour was completely unacceptable and his racist remarks made those in the lift feel very uncomfortable.

“Thanks must go to the victim who preserved vital DNA evidence despite this disgusting attack.”

Jama pleaded guilty to racially aggravated common assault and fare evasion at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

He was sentenced to five months in prison, suspended for 24 months, and was also handed a 12-month supervision order and a six-month alcohol treatment requirement.

Steve Burton, of Transport for London, said: “I am pleased that the court has recognised the distress caused by this unwarranted confrontation and that the hard work of our BTP colleagues has resulted in this conviction which sends a strong message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated on London’s transport network.”