A woman who called a police officer a “white poof” after a confrontation with a bus driver has been slapped with a £270 fine.

Cynthia Hallal, 55, was found guilty of one count of racially aggravated harassment and another count of using threatening words during her trial at Wimbledon Magistrates’ Court on April 9.

The court heard how Miss Hallal became abusive towards the driver of the H37 bus, Qaisar Ali, after a passenger complained to him that she was being racist.

After being approached by the bus driver, who said he would give her a bus transfer ticket if she got off, Hallal swore and said Indians were “the worst people on the planet”, the court heard.

Nicola Calnan, prosecuting, said: “Mr Ali was extremely offended by these remarks and asked Miss Hallal to remove herself from the bus while other passengers were present.”

Mr Ali, who gave evidence at the trial, said: “I felt really angry and then at that point I decided to call the police.

“To me they were quite offensive because I was only trying to help her.

“I gave her the option to take the ticket and catch another bus but she was using these offensive words towards me.”

Hallal was fined £100, paid a £20 victim surcharge, £100 costs and £50 compensation to Mr Ali.

The bus, which had stopped near St Margarets station, was spotted by Peter Franey, an off duty police officer, who told the court he heard loud and excitable voices and went to help.

He said: “I could definitely hear a confrontation in progress. It was quite clearly bordering on to the lines of some sort of obscenity.”

He approached the scene where he saw Hallal shouting at the bus driver and another passenger, who was trying to calm her down, the court heard.

He said: “She called us a couple of white poofs which I didn’t find particularly offensive. I found it more ridiculous than offensive. I didn’t know where she was coming from when she was saying those things.”

Head magistrate Ginny Curry said: “The behaviour Miss Hallal demonstrated towards Mr Ali was offensive with regards to his presumed racial group. We therefore find Miss Hallal guilty on both charges.”