A London commuter stepped in to defend a young Muslim after she was subjected to horrific racist abuse in the wake of Friday's terrorist atrocities in Paris.

Ashley Powys boarded the Victoria line train at Oxford Circus at 8pm on Monday and sat opposite a woman dressed in a hijab.

They were then joined on the carriage by a man in his 30s, who almost instantly trained his eye on the woman, who was travelling alone to meet friends.

London commuter Ashley Powys (left) stepped in to defend a young Muslim after she was subjected to horrific racist abuse in the wake of Friday's terrorist atrocities in Paris

In a post that has since been shared thousands of times on Facebook, Mr Powys spoke of the disgusting insults thrown at the young woman

After moving closer to her, he then unleashed a tirade of racist insults, leaving his victim - who Mr Powys described as looking 'no older than 18' - visibly shaken.

It was then that 22-year-old- who is 6ft 1in tall - stepped in, pushing the man away and using his sizeable frame as a guard wall between the two.

DO YOU KNOW YARA? If so, email euan.mclelland@mailonline.co.uk or phone 0203 615 0629 Advertisement

Recounting the coming together online, the Apple store employee said: 'I got on the train as normal and sat opposite a young girl wearing a hijab. She smiled at me as I sat down, and nothing else was said.

'Just behind me, another guy got on the train and stood at the connecting door of the tube and began to stare at this girl. After she looked at him and looked away, he went nearer to her and said, "F****** p***", quite loudly.

'Obviously, that immediately got my attention.

'He then got closer to her, and was reeling off abuse calling her things like "rag-head", "terrorist", "scum", and saying that "her people" murdered the victims of the Paris attacks this weekend.'

It was at that point the burly Mr Powys made his presence felt.

In a post that has since been shared thousands of times on Facebook, he continued: 'I automatically stood up and had to physically push him away from her, as he was aggressively close and was clearly terrifying her.

'He then luckily turned his attention onto me, calling me a "terrorist sympathiser", among other things.

After moving closer to his female victim, the unidentified man - said to be in his 30s - unleashed a tirade of racist insults, leaving his victim - who Mr Powys (pictured) described as looking 'no older than 18' - visibly shaken

'I sat down next to this girl, who at this point had tears in her eyes, and I asked her what her name was. She told me it was Yara.

'The man continued to shout abuse at her while I distracted her asking about her day, and other small talk topics, all the while making sure I was a barrier between her and this guy, so he didn't have direct access to harm her.'

The brave commuter stayed on beyond his own stop at Stockwell to ensure the teenager was safe.

When the pair reached Yara's destination, Mr Powys walked alongside her until she was safely with her friends.

The 22-year-old's actions have gained universal praise, with many people thanking him for stepping up for the Muslim community

She praised him for his courage and refusal to accept what was going on.

Mr Powys said: 'I asked her if she receives that sort of abuse often, and to my shock she said she does.

'I gave her a hug goodbye, and told her in confidence that there are many more people like me, and she should never have to feel afraid in her own country.'

Of course I felt like I had to step in. It was to me a human instinct not an act of bravery. Commuter Ashley Powys

Despite being thanked for his 'tremendous kindness and bravery', Mr Powys stressed his actions were no more than a gut reaction.

Speaking to MailOnline, he added: 'It was appallingly upsetting that no one else stepped in.

'Of course I felt like I had to step in. It was to me a human instinct not an act of bravery. It was definitely an adrenaline fuelled moment. He luckily did turn his verbal abuse on me.

'After it happened the train felt absolutely silent. Even with the background noise. And the silence was deafening. I still can't get over the silence of it all.'

He added: 'I just saw someone in need, and it was my human nature to do what I could.

'That's what shocked me most about my journey. That not one other person on that crowded train stood up for Yara. They sat in silence and allowed that abuse to happen. That's the problem with our society. Silence is our biggest weakness. We need to start speaking up and defending each other.'

Mr Powys boarded the Victoria line train at Oxford Circus at 8pm on Monday and sat opposite a woman dressed in a hijab

His post has garnered much attention online, with readers from around the world praising his actions.

One user described Mr Powys as 'an inspiration to all'.

A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP) said: 'We are aware of a report on social media referring to an alleged hate crime on a Victoria line Tube train travelling between Oxford Circus and Brixton on the evening of Monday, November 16.

'We treat all such incidents extremely seriously and would urge anyone with information to contact BTP on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting reference 378 of 17/11/15.

'Information can also be passed anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.'