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A student has been fined £200 and ordered to pay £500 compensation after his racist chanting was described as "disgusting, shocking and disgraceful".

Joe Tivnan, 19, pleaded guilty at Nottingham Magistrates' Court to racially or religiously aggravated harassment after footage captured racist chanting at halls of residence at Nottingham Trent University.

He admitted using threatening or abusive words which caused distress to fellow student Rufaro Chisango at a hearing today (Thursday, May 24).

He had been taking part in a fellow undergraduate's birthday celebrations at the university with around 20 other students between 9.30pm and midnight on March 5.

Prosecutor Anna Pierrepont said: "It is said that group of students were becoming intoxicated and had become rather noisy.

"(Miss Chisango) went to her door to see what was happening as she heard something similar to a football chant.

"She felt very upset and very uncomfortable. She was the only black person living on that floor. She was so distressed she messaged her mother for advice."

Tivnan was heard shouting 'we hate the blacks' and other offensive chants.

(Image: Aaron Chown/PA Wire)

In a short victim impact statement read to the court by the prosecution, Miss Chisango said: "I feel very distressed by the words and behaviour used by those involved.

"The entire incident was overwhelming and offensive. Such appalling behaviour will not be tolerated."

Tivnan, of The Parklands in Erdington, Birmingham, made an "unreserved" apology to anyone affected by his behaviour and said he was "truly sorry" for the distress he had caused.

Tivnan told the judge: "I wish to make an unreserved apology to anyone who has been affected by my behaviour in this case.

"It was just mutual repartee between me and a mixed-raced friend. It was still unacceptable language and I am ashamed by my behaviour. I am truly sorry for the distress I have caused."

Steven Ramsell, defending, said: "His university place will likely be lost and his hope of a career in law has suffered irreparable damage."

He said Tivnan was "at great pains to make clear that this was not a targeted, malicious, vindictive action on his part".

He said the student had been on academic suspension since the incident and is awaiting the outcome of an internal investigation.

"He faces now the prospect of making new applications to other institutions," added Mr Ramsell.

Tivnan was ordered to pay £500 compensation to Ms Chisango after his racist chanting was described as "disgusting, shocking and disgraceful".

He was also fined £200 and must also pay £85 towards court costs and a £30 victim surcharge - a total bill of £815.

(Image: Nottingham Post)

District Judge Leo Pyle told the law student: "You went off to continue your evening and this woman was too frightened to even leave her room.

"These words were described by other students as shocking, disgusting, appalling and disgraceful.

"It was entirely understandable that she felt what was being chanted was being aimed at her."

The defendant's co-accused, Lauren Leigh, also 19, pleaded not guilty to an offence in connection to the same incident and was granted unconditional bail until her trial on July 19.

Speaking after the hearing, a Nottingham Trent University spokesperson said: “Today’s hearing was in relation to an incident involving NTU students in March.



“As criminal proceedings remain active, we continue to follow police advice to pause our own internal investigation on all related matters until they come to a close.



“It would be inappropriate to say anything more regarding this incident until the case is fully concluded.”